Tuesday, November 8, 2011
The Indianapolis Star reported on one of the lead stories on ELPC’s new project, IN Our Water, with their coverage of phosphorus pollution and algae blooms in the Geist Reservoir. The Geist Reservoir provides drinking water to Indianapolis and is a popular place for boating and recreation, but the reservoir is fouled each summer with algae blooms and toxic bacteria created by excessive phosphorus pollution.
Read ELPC’s story on the Geist Reservoir here
Read coverage in the Indy Star here
Take Action: Help Protect Indiana Waterways from Dangerous Algae Blooms
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Public and nonprofit groups don’t pay taxes, so they can’t take advantage of tax incentives that make solar projects more affordable. The get around this problem, solar developers can retain ownership of a solar system they install on a client’s building. The developer collects the tax credits and the client agrees to pay the developer for the power generated by the solar panels. This arrangement has worked well in many states. But in Iowa, Alliant Energy blocked the City of Dubuque from entering into a similar agreement, stating that only a public utility can sell power in Iowa.
ELPC believes that Iowa law allows this kind of power purchase agreement, and is working with the utilities and state authorities to ensure that future projects aren’t held up by unclear regulations.
Read more in Midwest Energy News.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
ELPC released a new study of the clean energy supply chain in Illinois. The study finds that over 300 Illinois companies are working in the wind, solar or geothermal energy industries and employing over 18,000 people in the state. From old-line steel fabricators to high-tech start-ups, renewable energy is powering job growth and launching Illinois to the forefront of the green economy. Download the Report.
Read an article in the Chicago Sun-Times: Alternative energy companies grow jobs, presence in Chicago area
Read an article in the Chicago Tribune: New study defines, identifies green jobs in U.S.
Monday, June 20, 2011
In this Earth911.com article, ELPC Staff Attorney and Government Relations Specialist Mel Nickerson discusses why Illinois’ new legislation – expected to be signed into law soon by Governor Pat Quinn – is one of the best in the country. Read more about ELPC’s work to advance e-waste standards in the Midwest.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Covering ELPC’s report on The Solar and Wind Energy Supply Chain in Michigan, Crain’s Detroit Business notes that the wind and solar energy industry in Michigan appears ready to explode this year. Growth in the clean energy industry is leading to expansion in the supply chain, which means new manufacturing jobs and business growth for Michigan.
Wind and solar businesses currently employ over 10,000 people in Michigan. ELPC’s Executive Director Howard Learner told Crain’s, “You go back five to 10 years, and we see only a few jobs in these sectors. Clearly, the job growth in two sectors can’t make up for thousands of jobs lost in the auto industry. On the other hand, there is clear, positive growth the last several years.”
The article notes that clean energy manufacturers across Michigan are forecasting new orders, investment and hiring, which is good news for our economy and our environment.
Read the article here
Friday, March 18, 2011
Howard Learner on the Growth of Clean Energy Production in the Midwest
ELPC’s Howard Learner joined E&E TV to discuss how wind and solar power are helping revitalize the Midwest’s manufacturing sector. Read ELPC’s clean energy supply chain reports.
Monday, December 13, 2010
The Environmental Law and Policy Center’s new study on the Iowa Wind Energy Supply Chain catalogs the boon of the wind energy industry for the state of Iowa, the Quad-City Times reports. Eighty Iowa companies, including thirty manufacturers, employ more than 2300 workers in this growing sector. The Quad-Cities alone are host to eight of these.
Iowa ranks first in the nation for the percentage of its electricity generated by wind (20%) and second nationally in total wind energy generation. This success is credited to the forward-thinking policies enacted in the state, including tax credits to retain and develop business and the Iowa Power Fund to encourage wind energy research and development.
Tara Barney, CEO of the Quad-Cities Chamber of Commerce, cited Iowa’s “world-class transportation systems and educated, skilled work force” as some of the forces bringing wind business to the state. “With appropriate policies in place, there will be tremendous opportunity for expansion of the wind industry in Iowa,” she added.
Continued policy support will prove key to enabling the wind industry’s future growth in Iowa. Howard Learner, Executive Director of the Environmental Law and Policy Center and co-author of the report, notes, “Iowa has done a very good job of targeting the wind energy industry, and that’s paid off in terms of growth. Smart policies can bring more wind businesses to Iowa. That’s good for both economic growth and better environmental quality.”
Read the full Quad-City Times story here.
Friday, December 10, 2010
ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner spoke Thursday with Wall Street Journal reporter Amy Merrick regarding the disappointing announcement that federal rail funding for Ohio and Wisconsin will be redirected to other states. Despite this setback for Ohio and Wisconsin, the rapid reallocation of the funds demonstrates that national support for this important modern infrastructure has not waned.
“It’s not as simple as Republicans saying no and Democrats saying yes,” said Learner. “These are two governors that are, frankly, sort of outliers. ELPC will work hard for these Midwest high-speed rail projects to receive funding in the next round and bring jobs, economic growth and better transportation for people in the region.”
Read the full story here.
