Tuesday, November 18, 2008
ELPC President and Executive Director Howard Learner outlines the public policy changes that the Obama administration and the new Congress should acheive to grow the green economy and create a cleaner environment in this article on the Huffington Post:
“It’s time to gear up to seize the opportunities to advance a greener economy and cleaner environment with the new Administration and new Congress. The Midwest and Great Plains states can become business and economic winners in growing the new green economy… Moreover, when it comes to public policy changes, the nation’s Heartland is also a linchpin to reform…
“…Let’s not kid ourselves; achieving this agenda won’t be easy. Ideological opponents are seizing on our country’s economic crisis as a reason to put off action. But the scientists tell us that we must start now to seriously reduce global warming pollution. We can’t just hit the “pause” button and hold off on corrective actions until the economy gets better. Besides, energy efficiency saves us money, and clean energy solutions can create jobs and grow the green economy.”
read the full post here
Monday, October 13, 2008
On October 8th and 9th, a group of national farm energy leaders gathered at ELPC’s headquarters to discuss implementing the Farm Bill’s Energy Title. The dynamic meeting featured presentations by experts who worked through details to set priorities and make the most of these new clean energy programs. USDA and Department of Energy officials attended the conference and shared the latest policy and clean energy development news with our colleagues.
Visit www.farmenergy.org to learn more about the Farm Bill’s clean energy programs.
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Monday, October 13, 2008
Voters in Missouri will decide whether to require utilities to buy 15% renewable energy by 2021. St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter Kim McGuire asked ELPC Co-Legislative Director Barry Matchett about the impact of the Illinois Renewable Energy Standard that takes effect this year. It requires utilities to buy 10 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2015 and 25 percent by 2025. The article quotes Barry:
“Since the legislation was passed establishing the standard, the state has seen an influx of green jobs, said Barry Matchett, co-legislative director for the Environment Law and Policy Center in Chicago.
“‘Three years ago there was one wind company in Illinois, and today there are seven,’ Matchett said. ‘Each of them provides 100 to 300 good jobs at their headquarters. That’s not to mention the field jobs.’”
Read the full article.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
August 4, 2008 - ELPC has just released a report that showcases the enormous wind power potential for South Dakota to be a renewable energy powerhouse. The report also identifies some important policy drivers that can help South Dakotans fully and effectively tap this tremendous resource. Read the full report.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Reps. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD) and Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) introduced legislation to help spur the growth of locally-based renewable energy projects in rural America. Their bill, The Rural Energy Equity Act, supports entrepreneurs looking to provide renewable sources of energy to power their communities, and encourages corporate investment in these smaller, locally-based and owned projects. ELPC is a strong supporter of growing renewable energy projects throughout the Midwest. Read the press release here.
Friday, June 20, 2008
How can renewable energy sources help solve the global warming crisis? John Moore, senior attorney at the Environmental Law & Policy Center and an expert on farm energy, explains.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich signed into law last August 2007 two standards to increase renewable energy and energy efficiency in Illinois. The standards are among the most ambitious in the nation and will make Illinois a national leader on clean energy development. After working for many years to achieve this, we are all very proud of what we at ELPC and our colleagues have achieved. Read our press release on this win here [pdf file].
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) released the rankings of the leaders in wind power production, and Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota were among the leaders. Minnesota is third and Iowa, fourth in the nation in terms of total installed wind power. Illinois was listed as third in the nation in new wind power added in 2007. ELPC has been a lead supporter of policies to increase demand for wind power production around the Midwest. Download the report here [pdf file].
