Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Today, the Great Lakes Commission and the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative released its Chicago Area Waterways Study (CAWS), which offers recommended action steps to protect the Great Lakes from Asian carp and other invasive species. ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner released this statement about the study and its recommendations.
“Separating the Great Lakes from the Mississippi River Basin is a key step to protect both the ecological and economic value of the Great Lakes. More than 30 million people live in the Great Lakes Basin and rely on its abundance of freshwater, which is under increasing threat from Asian carp and other invasive species. The release of this important study and action framework today advances important Great Lakes values.
“The Study shows that strong and effective action is needed sooner than later to protect Lake Michigan and the other Great Lakes. We have to get this right from the start. There are no do-over ‘Mulligans’ if invasive species get into our Great Lakes.”
Mr. Learner served as a member of the Advisory Committee for the Chicago Area Waterways Study project.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Environmental Law & Policy Center and Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin Call for Fair Review
A massive $1 billion proposal for transmission lines that would run through Northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula should not be allowed to continue on a special, fast-tracked “out-of-cycle” approval process, according to the Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) and Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin (CUB)
American Transmission Company’s (ATC) proposed “Northern Plan” transmission proposal is being reviewed on a rapidly accelerated schedule by the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator (MISO), a regional organization that manages access to the electricity grid. MISO granted the faster, out-of-cycle review process because of WE Energies’ statements that it might shut down the Presque Isle coal plant in the Upper Peninsula, Marquette, Michigan. Recently, WE Energies and Wolverine Power Cooperative announced a joint venture to explore retrofitting the coal plant with modern pollution control equipment and continuing to run the plant.
“Consumers should not be asked to pay for $1 billion of new transmission lines running through Wisconsin’s Northwoods, without a full and fair review of alternatives that might save money and prevent the disruption of key habitats and natural areas,” said Howard Learner, Executive Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center.
According to the groups, a more thorough, normal review process should include a consideration of the cost impacts of siting, as well as a detailed consideration of alternative transmission routes. The proposed high-voltage transmission lines would run through the Northwoods in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
“Should we spend many years and consumer dollars to analyze the technical details of a plan that might not even happen because of the significant natural resources and other concerns it already raises,” asked Charlie Higley, Executive Director of Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin. “Should we build transmission lines through one state to primarily serve another state? These are questions MISO should ask – and answer – after careful review.”
Although the MISO review process is closed to the public, MISO agreed to allow ELPC and CUB to submit expert comments for its consideration. Read them here.
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The Environmental Law & Policy Center is the Midwest’s leading environmental legal advocacy and eco-business innovation organization. www.ELPC.org
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
CHICAGO – The Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) has launched PlugInChicagoMetro.org, a new tool to help educate consumers about electric cars available in the Chicagoland area in 2012. The interactive site includes comparative information about the seven makes/models of plug-in electric cars that are or will soon be available for purchase in the region, as well as information about electric rates, charging options, tax incentives, and other resources.
“Purchasing any car requires thoughtful consiaderation of many variables – on brand, color, price – and purchasing an electric car can involve an extra layer of research,” said Madeleine Weil, Senior Policy Advocate at ELPC. “PlugInChicagoMetro.org can help consumers by providing a central resource of information about the differences, benefits and decisions involved in being an electric car owner here in Chicago and the suburbs.”
ELPC is working to advance policies that support electric cars and public charging infrastructure in Chicago and the Midwest. “Electric and hybrid cars reduce our dependence on foreign oil, produce less pollution than conventional cars, and can help consumers save money at the gas pump,” said ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner. “We should also seize the opportunities to grow the clean car jobs of the future in the Midwest auto industry.”
According to Learner, government support for public charging stations powered by clean wind and solar power, entrepreneurial ingenuity in the business community and low-cost power available for nighttime charging are just some of the ingredients that will make Chicago a market leader. “The Chicago area can become one of the nation’s leading markets for these new clean electric, natural gas and hybrid vehicles,” he said.
More and more consumers are becoming interested in learning about electric vehicles. “There’s a lot of information about electric cars out there – from dealers selling a particular model, from ‘car guys’ obsessed with the innovative technology, from critics who will scrutinize any and all changes to the status quo – but we’re not any of those people,” Weil added. “We realize purchasing a car is a personal decision. We just want to provide a forum to help Chicago-area consumers make car-buying decisions for themselves and their families.”
For more information about electric vehicles available in the Midwest in 2012, please go to www.PlugInChicagoMetro.org.
Friday, January 13, 2012
ELPC Is Only Environmental Group to be Recognized
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: JILL GEIGER
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January 12, 2012
Chicago, IL – The Environmental Law & Policy Center is proud to be recognized as a top charity in the new ranking presented by MainStreet (www.mainstreet.com), a personal finance news and advice website; the list was also published on MSN Money. ELPC is included in the list of the 10 highest-rated national charities in the U.S. ELPC has received the highest four-star rating for four years in a row from Charity Navigator and has a 68.58 out of 70 score for its fiscal performance and operational responsibility. ELPC is the only environmental advocacy organization to be recognized in this list of top-ten rated charities.
According to the story on Mainstreet, ELPC “…takes more of a market-based approach to sustainable living, promoting clean energy projects like wind farms and solar installations as solutions for job creation and economic development in addition to environmental protection. The group’s revenue has grown more or less steadily during the past 10 years, and it now manages more than $6 million of contributions.”
MainStreet based its list on 2011 Charity Navigator scores, which reviewed 5,500 charities in America based on their financial health, accountability and transparency. Mainstreet provides personal finance advice to consumers and is part of the Street Network.
“The Environmental Law & Policy Center is proud to be included among the Top 10 highest rated in Charities in America. We are especially honored to be the only environmental advocacy group to be recognized and the only organization that is headquartered in the middle of the country,” stated Howard A. Learner, Executive Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center. “Our staff works hard to run a very effective mission-driven organization with successes on both our environmental advocacy and the business and finance sides. We took a break for some high-fives at our staff meeting this morning.”
Thursday, January 5, 2012
The Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC) commends Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood for awarding more than $186 million to the Illinois Department of Transportation for work on the extension of the Chicago-St. Louis line to Joliet. Work will begin in the spring and will enable improved 110-mph passenger rail service along 70 percent of the line.
Howard Learner, ELPC President and a nationally recognized expert on high-speed passenger rail, had this to say about the award:
“This grant provides a critical step in bringing high-speed rail to the Midwest. Investing in modern, fast, comfortable and convenient higher-speed rail service is a smart move, since better rail service will improve mobility, reduce pollution, create new jobs and spur economic growth. While the media is fixated on the problems of the California corridor, the Midwest has sensibly begun building a first-class system that will reach 110 mph within a year.
“We are already seeing the economic benefits rail is bringing to the region. Normal, Illinois has already seen more than $200 million in investment. With the help of this grant, trains will reduce congestion and make the Midwest a better place to start businesses and create jobs.”
The entire upgrade of the Chicago-St. Louis line will reduce travel time and improve on-time performance. Ridership has grown 137 percent during the last five years on this popular corridor.
American-made trains will be used on the lines, which will be purchased as part of the $782 million grant for domestic manufacturing. Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, Missouri, California, Washington and Oregon will purchase 120 be-level passenger cars, along with 33 quick-acceleration locomotives.
ELPC is nationally known for its high-speed rail advocacy. The organization has studied passenger rail for nearly two decades and provide transportation counsel and policy support to state, local and federal government.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the first-ever federal standards to reduce mercury, arsenic, chromium and other toxic air pollutants from power plants. EPA estimates that these standards will prevent thousands of hospitalizations and emergency room visits and 17,000 premature deaths each year. Implementing the standards, which were called for in the 1990 Clean Air Act amendments and are now long overdue, creates a level playing field for the energy industry after more than 20 years of uncertainty and delays
“These standards mean power plants will invest in modern pollution controls, and that investment will create jobs, cleaner air and better public health,” said Howard Learner, Executive Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center. “Illinois adopted mercury pollution reduction standards in 2006 and modern control equipment has been installed at almost all coal plants in the state. The technology works, the lights have stayed on, mercury pollution has been reduced and children’s health is better protected. It’s time for the holdout utilities to stop crying wolf, stop stalling and clean up their pollution to protect children’s health and our rivers and lakes.”
“Illinois and other states have led the way and shown that these federal standards are reasonable and attainable,” said Learner. “With federal standards in place, all Americans will gain the benefits of better health and cleaner and safer water.”
Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that can harm fetal brain development, reducing children’s IQ and their ability to learn. According to EPA estimates, about 300,000 babies are born in the U.S. every year at risk of neurological damage because of mercury.
The Mercury and Air Toxics Standards set a 3-5 year timeline for power plant owners to install widely available modern technology to reduce mercury pollution by 91% and drastically reduce arsenic, chromium, acid gases and other toxic air pollutants which are known or suspected of causing cancer and other serious health effects. The new standards will create thousands of jobs around the country as power plant owners hire people to build, install and operate modern pollution control equipment needed to reduce mercury and other toxics from their plants.
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Saturday, December 17, 2011
Chicago – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the first-ever federal standards to reduce mercury, arsenic, chromium and other toxic air pollutants from power plants. EPA estimates that these standards will prevent thousands of hospitalizations and emergency room visits and 17,000 premature deaths each year. Implementing the standards, which were called for in the 1990 Clean Air Act amendments and are now long overdue, creates a level playing field for the energy industry after more than 20 years of uncertainty and delays.
“These standards mean power plants will invest in modern pollution controls, and that investment will create jobs, cleaner air and better public health,” said Howard Learner, Executive Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center. “Illinois adopted mercury pollution reduction standards in 2006 and modern control equipment has been installed at almost all coal plants in the state. The technology works, the lights have stayed on, mercury pollution has been reduced and children’s health is better protected. It’s time for the holdout utilities to stop crying wolf, stop stalling and clean up their pollution to protect children’s health and our rivers and lakes.”
“Illinois and other states have led the way and shown that these federal standards are reasonable and attainable,” said Learner. “With federal standards in place, all Americans will gain the benefits of better health and cleaner and safer water.”
Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that can harm fetal brain development, reducing children’s IQ and their ability to learn. According to EPA estimates, about 300,000 babies are born in the U.S. every year at risk of neurological damage because of mercury.
The Mercury and Air Toxics Standards set a three-year timeline for power plant owners to install widely available modern technology to reduce mercury pollution by 91% and drastically reduce arsenic, chromium, acid gases and other toxic air pollutants which are known or suspected of causing cancer and other serious health effects. The new standards will create thousands of jobs around the country as power plant owners hire people to build, install and operate modern pollution control equipment needed to reduce mercury and other toxics from their plants.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
New federal investments will expand access to smart transportation Illinois. Alton, Illinois received a $13.8 million grant through the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program to construct the Alton Regional Multi-modal Transportation Center. The transportation center will increase the impact of the high-speed rail station in Alton, linking rail and surface transportation and creating more efficient travel options in Illinois.
Chicago was awarded $20 million in TIGER funding to expand the city’s bike sharing program and make improvements to the CTA Blue Line. TIGER funding was awarded to over a dozen projects around the country that will create jobs and long term economic growth by investing in our nation’s infrastructure.
“These investments are important building blocks that leverage high-speed rail and public transit to improve mobility, create jobs, spur economic growth and reduce pollution,” said Howard Learner, Executive Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center. “We commend Senator Durbin, Transportation Secretary LaHood and Illinois’ congressional delegation for investing in smart transportation projects that will benefit our economy and our environment.”
The Environmental Law & Policy Center advocates for high-speed rail and other smart transportation options that will increase mobility and economic growth while reducing air pollution and traffic congestion.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
The Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) today identified three of Indiana’s cleanest rivers: Sugar Creek, The Tippecanoe and the East Fork of the White River. These pristine waters are popular destinations for fishing, canoeing and recreation and provide a stark contrast to the list of polluted waters ELPC released recently.
“These rivers are examples of how clean water creates recreational jobs and businesses and improves the quality of life in Indiana,” said Howard Learner, Executive Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center. “Indiana officials should work to ensure all our rivers are this clean.”
Indiana’s weak state policies and lax enforcement have allowed the many of the state’s rivers and lakes to become fouled by algae blooms, toxins, sedimentation and dangerous pathogens, but the work of landowners, clean water advocates and some public agencies has helped protect these valuable waterways and the businesses that depend on them.
ELPC explains the value of Indiana’s clean rivers through the stories of people who depend on them like Jason Seward, owner of Clement’s Canoes on Sugar Creek and Tom Todd, a fishing guide who works on the East Fork of the White River. These stories, as well as video and professional photos are all available at www.INourwater.org
The website will give Indiana residents the tools to tell their own stories about water and take action to clean up waterway across the state. ELPC is working to increase awareness of the pollution issues facing Indiana and engage the public in calling for solutions.
Three of Indiana’s Cleanest Rivers
1. Sugar Creek. Sugar Creek is home to a rare variety of fish and wildlife, including bald eagles, blue herons and over 70 species of fish. Indiana’s Health Rivers INitiative will protect 43,000 acres of land along this ecologically critical waterway. Jason Seward is one of the people that depend on the water quality in Sugar Creek for a living. Seward owns Clements Canoe and Outdoor Center, one of several canoe liveries on Sugar Creek.
2. The Tippecanoe River. The Tippecanoe River meanders through northern Indiana for 225 miles before emptying into the Wabash River. Biologists consider the Tippecanoe a bench mark for what healthy rivers in the region should look like today. Tom Denham’s family has benefitted from the clean waters of the Tippecanoe since the 1930’s, when they bought land along the river near Winamac and began renting out cabins. Over the years, Denham has seen water quality improve and wildlife thrive on the river.
3. East Fork of the White River. The fishing on the East Fork of the White River is good enough to attract customers from as far away as New York and Hawaii and to keep fishing guide Tom Todd busy throughout the season.
Todd works on a meandering stretch of the East Fork between Lawrenceport and Hindostan Falls. Todd’s business depends on good water quality, and he says the East Fork is cleaner today than it’s been in the past.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
The City of Chicago, together with its solar-development partners the Environmental Law & Policy Center, Illinois Institute of Technology, and West Monroe Partners has received a $750,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as part of the SunShot Initiative Rooftop Solar Challenge. The City will use the grant funds to transform Chicago into a national leader in residential and commercial rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) development by cutting red tape—streamlining and standardizing permitting, zoning, metering, and connection processes—and improving finance options to reduce barriers and lower costs for residential and small commercial rooftop solar systems.
Read the full press release at the City of Chicago’s website
