Charity Navigator Gives Highest Rating to ELPC

ELPC has received the highest rating from Charity Navigator, the independent non-profit rating agency. This 4-star “exceptional” rating means that ELPC’s fiscal management “exceeds industry standards and outperforms most charities in its cause.” Only 12% of non-profits have attained this rating for three consecutive years. Click here for more details. Learn about other awards and honors received by ELPC.

AIA Honors ELPC for Leadership on Green Building Code

ELPC was honored to receive the President’s Award from the American Institute of Architects Illinois for extraordinary achievements in advancing livable communities. ELPC’s Al Grosboll, left, and Melville Nickerson, right, accepted the award on behalf of ELPC at AIA Illinois’ annual conference from AIA Illinois President Tim McGinn, AIA. In particular, the award recognizes ELPC’s years of leadership and advocacy to establish Energy Efficient Building Codes for residential and commercial buildings in Illinois. Learn about other awards and honors received by ELPC.

U.S. Green Building Council Names ELPC a “Natural Leader”

In recognition of ELPC’s leadership on Illinois’ Energy Efficient Building Code and the Chicago Climate Action Plan, the Chicago Chapter of the US Green Building Council honored ELPC as a Natural Leader. ELPC’s Howard Learner and Jill Geiger, pictured center, accepted the award on behalf of ELPC from USGBC-Chicago Chapter Executive Director Doug Widener, left, and Board Chair Joseph Clair, right. The “Intent to Matter” award was presented to ELPC at the Emerald Gala, USGBC’s annual celebration of the sustainable building movement, on May 16, 2009. Learn about other awards and honors received by ELPC.

Chicago Magazine Names ELPC’s Learner a Green Leader

In recognition of his work to make the planet ‘greener and better,’ Chicago Magazine honored ELPC President Howard Learner with a ‘Green Award’. The April issue of Chicago Magazine included a profile of Howard that highlights some of ELPC’s successes, including bringing renewable energy and energy efficiency standards to Illinois, reducing mercury pollution in Illinois waters and working to bring high-speed rail to the Midwest. Learn about other awards and honors received by ELPC.

Forest Service Withdraws Cayuga Logging Project

Today, the U.S. Forest Service announced that it is withdrawing and reconsidering its Cayuga timber sale for logging 5,220 acres tract of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest near Clam Lake, Wisconsin.

Scientists and conservationists filed extensive comments expressing concern that the Forest Service was allowing too much logging in the proposed Cayuga Project, which is next to other large timber sales and contains old growth forests and high quality trout streams. In addition, more than 300 citizens submitted letters urging the Forest Service to more fully consider the combined impact of the timber sales on the environment.

“The Forest Service is proposing too much logging, too fast and in too many of the wrong places when it comes to protecting natural resources values.” said Howard Learner, Executive Director of the Environmental Law and Policy Center, “We appreciate that the Forest Service has decided to step back and reconsider more balanced solutions.”

The Cayuga Project has been on hold due to the federal court’s previous decision and injunction. Supervisor Jeanne Higgins re-approved the Cauyga Project on November 3, 2008. In recent years, the Forest Service has proposed 15 timber sales totaling over 100,000 acres of logging in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.