Environmental Law and Policy Center » Developing Clean Energy

Energy Conference Focuses on Clean Energy’s Benefits for South Dakota

pgray — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:23:42 +0000

ELPC Senior Policy Advocate Allen Grosboll spoke about the potential for renewable energy at a conference at Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota. Mr. Grosboll was joined by representatives from Repower America and the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission.

All speakers agreed that tapping South Dakota’s renewable energy potential would benefit the state’s economy and help to address the growing threat of climate change. Mr. Grosboll said that the American Clean Energy and Security Act would be an effective way to reduce carbon pollution and would create over one million clean energy jobs across the country and in South Dakota.

Read coverage in the Rapid City Journal

Iowa Citizens Join ELPC to Show Support for Clean Energy and Climate Bill

pgray — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:29:10 +0000

At a public hearing before the Iowa Utilities Board on September 18th, a broad coalition of Iowa citizens called for the Iowa Utilities Board to stand up to utility pressure on climate change. Through previously submitted written comments and personal testimony at a workshop, these citizens made the scientific, economic and personal case for why Congress should pass the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES).

Several of the groups submitted analyses that showed how Iowa will benefit from clean energy legislation through job growth and income in manufacturing, renewable energy and energy efficiency. Others showed that the moderate costs of the bill are miniscule compared to the threat of global climate change.

As ELPC Senior Attorney Rob Kelter said, “There is so much more at stake here than minor changes in electric rates. Clean energy can be a major driver of economic growth in Iowa, but we have to stand up to the utilities to make it happen.”

State Agency Agrees with ELPC: Michigan Doesn’t Need New Coal Plants

pgray — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:50:50 +0000

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MSPC) filed a report stating that there is no need for a coal power plant in Rogers City and that a new plant in Essexville would not be needed until at least 2022. Growing needs for energy could be met by better energy efficiency, renewable energy or other sources, MPSC found.

ELPC has worked with citizen groups to oppose the new plants because they would be unnecessary, expensive and would create huge amounts of pollution that contributes to global warming and threatens human health.

As ELPC Senior Attorney Faith Bugel told the Detroit News, “This report shows that clean energy can power Michigan’s future. Moving away from outdated coal power will build our economy and protect our environment.”

Last year, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm ordered the state Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to examine whether the state’s energy needs could be met by renewable sources and energy efficiency before granting Clean Air Act permits for any new coal plants. A final decision on whether to grant Clean Air Act permits to Wolverine and Consumers Energy rests with the state Department of Environmental Quality, which promises a ruling by the end of this year.

Read Coverage in the Detroit News

New Law Will Increase Renewable Energy, Promote Solar Power in Illinois

pgray — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:10:45 +0000

Illinois can look forward to a cleaner energy future thanks to a bill signed into law by Governor Quinn on Sunday. Senate Bill 2150 increases the number of utility companies who will meet renewable energy goals and creates specific goals for solar energy in Illinois.

“Renewable energy is creating jobs and income in Illinois while protecting public health and our environment for future generations,” said Barry Machett, Co-Legislative Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center. “This bill brings more companies on board to develop the clean energy of the future and ensures we will have a diverse, sustainable supply of energy to meet our state’s needs.”

Read ELPC’s press release

House Passes Historic Global Warming Solutions Bill!

jgeiger — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 15:11:19 +0000

Great news! Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed historic global warming solutions legislation, the American Clean Energy and Security Act (219-212). This was no easy victory – it was achieved in part through constituents’ many letters and phone calls asking legislators to vote “Yes” on the Waxman-Markey Bill. ELPC and our many partners are now turning our strategic attention to the Senate.

Read Grist story quoting ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner on the passage of the bill. “Today’s vote creates momentum for our country to reduce global warming pollution and advance clean energy solutions,” said Howard A. Learner, executive director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center. “We appreciate the Midwest and Great Plains legislators who stood up for the future and voted in favor of this vital legislation.”

North Dakota Can Lead on Energy

jgeiger — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 22:00:48 +0000

ELPC Government Relations Specialist Mindi Grieve, in ELPC’s Jamestown, North Dakota office, has an OpEd in the June 20th Grand Forks Herald. The opinion piece touts North Dakota’s strong clean energy resources and the state’s potential to benefit from clean energy legislation:

“Transitioning to a new clean-energy economy will create a bright economic future for North Dakota. In fact, the transition is already under way…North Dakota stands to gain a great deal from clean energy legislation. Our state has a huge potential for wind energy, clean biofuels and other energy sources.”

Read the full OpEd.

Howard Learner in Kellogg Address: Climate and Energy Solutions Can’t Wait

pgray — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:32:44 +0000

Speaking to a standing-room-only crowd at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, ELPC President Howard Learner said that in tough economic times, it makes sense to invest in a greener future.

Mr. Learner predicted that the Midwest will continue to benefit from investment in wind power and high-speed rail in the coming months. He said that in recent years, concerns about energy, environment, economy and national security have converged and made investing the green economy an obvious choice.

Read a summary of the speech here

Learner in the Argus Leader: Clean Energy Solutions Will Boost South Dakota Economy

jgeiger — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 12:32:47 +0000

In an Argus Leader OpEd, ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner explains that South Dakota is well-positioned to gain both economic as well as environmental benefits from global warming solutions legislation. Learner says that the state stands to benefit from a carbon-capped economy because of its excellent wind power resources and through new energy efficiency savings and a new agricultural offset and carbon sequestration program that will provide additional income to farmers. South Dakota also currently gets more than half of its energy supply from nonpolluting hydro power already.

Read the full opinion piece.

ELPC’s Howard Learner in the Des Moines Register: Iowa Must Seize Chances to Grow Green Economy

jgeiger — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 16:05:52 +0000

On the day that ELPC celebrates the opening of its new Iowa office, Executive Director Howard Learner lays out a plan for Iowa’s future in an OpEd in the Des Moines Register. He points out that Iowa is well-positioned to be a leader in the growing green economy, specifically with three major opportunities in energy efficiency, wind power and high-speed rail development.

“Energy, environmental, employment, economic and national-security goals are converging. President Barack Obama and Congress are moving toward realigning our nation to accelerate clean-energy development to create new jobs and achieve significant greenhouse-gas pollution reductions. Clean-energy development is a win-win-win for job creation, economic growth and better environmental quality.”

Read the full OpEd.

Des Moines Register Says Iowa Can Thrive Without Coal, Calls for Better Efficiency

pgray — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 17:44:18 +0000

In this editorial, the Des Moines register welcomed the decision by Interstate Power and Light to cancel plans for a new coal plant in Marshalltown, Iowa. The editorial rightly points out that coal is the leading cause of global warming pollution and spending huge amounts of money on a new plant would tie Iowa to a dirty and inceasingly expnsive source of energy.

The editors echoed ELPC’s call for the Iowa Utilities Board to require a strong efficiency plan from the utility Investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency will create jobs, save money, reduce pollution and eliminate the need for an expensive new coal plant.

Read the editorial here.