Friday, May 1, 2009
Leading environmental organizations have filed a brief calling for the Michigan Public Service Commission (PSC) to reject the energy efficiency and renewable energy plan filed by Consumers Energy. The groups argue the plan costs consumers too much and the energy efficiency plan does not do enough to reduce customers’ bills.
The brief argues that Consumers prices renewable energy far too high, placing an unreasonable burden on ratepayers. The environmental coalition emphasizes that Consumers’ renewable energy plan asks ratepayers to pay 60% more for renewable energy than neighboring Detroit Edison has proposed in its plan ($174/MWh versus $108 per MWh).
The coalition of groups that include the Michigan Environmental Council, Ecology Center, the Environmental Law & Policy Center and the Natural Resources Defense Council have been active participants in the PSC review of the plan during the last 60 days. Read the coalition press release.
Friday, April 24, 2009
The City of Farmersville, Illinois welcomed Governor Pat Quinn, ELPC’s Co-Legislative Director Al Grosboll and others from across the state to celebrate the ribbon cutting for its new wind turbine on April 19, 2009. The wind turbine, located on a 60-foot high coal mine waste pile, is expected to produce 2.5 million kilowatt-hours annually. Read more in the Galesburg Register-Mail.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Developing clean energy is critical to solving global warming, strengthening our economy and increasing our energy independence. A clean energy future will require us to use energy more efficiently and generate more of our electricity from clean, renewable sources including wind and solar power.
Efficiency
Energy efficiency is the fastest, cheapest and easiest way to meet our growing energy needs. Taking advantage of energy efficiency will lower consumers’ energy bills, reduce pollution and put hundreds of thousands of people to work performing energy audits, retrofitting older buildings, manufacturing energy efficient building materials and more. ELPC is part of the national Campaign for an Energy Efficient America that is pushing for nationwide energy efficiency standard- you can learn more at www.energyefficiencyworks.org
Renewables
Generating electricity from renewable sources like wind, sunlight, plants, moving water and the earth’s heat will greatly reduce global warming pollution while increasing our energy independence creating new jobs and income, especially in rural America. Investing in clean energy will diversify our energy supply and create a sustainable way to move our country forward.
ELPC is working on state and local policies that encourage renewable energy development and is part of the coalition advocating for federal clean energy legislation. You can learn more at www.renewableenergyworks.org.
Working Together
In combination, energy efficiency, renewable energy and greenhouse gas cap-and-trade will greatly reduce global warming pollution, grow the clean energy economy and stabilize consumer energy prices. Click here to read an analysis of how the three components work together.
What can I Do?
Transitioning to a clean energy economy will take political courage. Contact your elected officials and ask them to support that national Energy Efficiency and Renewable Electricity standards.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm announced a plan to limit coal power and promote more renewable energy in Michigan during her State of the State address. Granholm called for a 45 percent reduction in fossil fuels by 2020 in order to bring more innovation and jobs to Michigan.
ELPC Senior Attorney Faith Bugel is the lead counsel on the permit review for the Wolverine coal plant. Bugel wrote comments reviewing the flaws in the permit application and shared them with the Governor’s office. She cited failures at the federal, state and permit level, including the need to limit CO2 and fine particulates, and to seek cleaner alternatives according to the Michigan Environmental Protection Act.
“One month ago, we stood before the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and called upon Michigan officials to lead the state into the next century by demanding cleaner alternatives to coal power,” said Bugel. “We’re thrilled with the Governor’s announcement today. Michigan is ready to take action to protect the health of its citizens and to be a leader on global warming solutions.”
Read Greenwire’s article on the announcement.
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Tuesday, January 13, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – Experts from 25x’25, the National Wildlife Federation, the National Association of Wheat Growers and the Environmental Law and Policy Center today pushed Congress to support economic recovery investments in USDA renewable energy programs, as well as renewable energy bonds and tax credits to revive the economy and help America’s farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses.
Investing in agriculture-based clean energy development will diversify the nation’s energy supply, create jobs, and revitalize America’s rural economy, according to a proposal signed by more than 30 business, agriculture, energy and environmental groups. The groups are asking Congress to provide strong funding for the construction and development of advanced biofuel refineries, wind, solar, biomass and geothermal energy projects, energy efficiency, biomass research, and the development of next generation feedstocks. These programs could help create and maintain thousands of jobs in the clean energy technology fields.
The coalition’s proposals are listed in this letter
Thursday, December 18, 2008
The North Dakota Alliance for Renewable Energy (NDARE) presented a comprehensive report outlining steps North Dakota should take to foster greater development of its renewable energy potential.
Saying that North Dakota has a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to capitalize on the growing demand for renewable energy and greater energy efficiency, the Alliance presented its detailed policy proposals for six key sectors and areas: energy efficiency, wind, biomass, biodiesel, ethanol and carbon.
ELPC is a member of NDARE, which is comprised of representatives from commodity groups, farm organizations, investor-owned utilities, rural electric cooperatives, state agencies, economic development groups, universities, banks, manufacturers, conservation and environmental groups, and private citizens. NDARE is dedicated to making North Dakota the preeminent state for the production and use of renewable energy and the practice of energy efficiency.
Read the press release.
Read the report’s executive summary.
Watch the television coverage.
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Monday, December 15, 2008
On Monday the Environmental Law and Policy Center and 25x’25 Alliance presented a package of recommendations to bolster the economy and create jobs to Congress and the incoming Obama Administration. Their proposal would accelerate the development of and markets for, wind and solar power, advanced biofuels production, biomass power and geothermal energy as a means to stimulate the economy. The Federal Farm Bill’s Energy Title would be a primary focus along with related tax credits.
The recommendations focus on investing in programs that are currently under funded such as the Rural Energy for America Program that will put people back to work while improving environmental quality. These programs are green job generators and long-term growth creators because they require skilled labor for manufacturing components, construction and operation.
John Moore, Senior Attorney at ELPC, urged Congress to make strong, farm-based clean energy development programs part of the economic recovery package. “Programs that support clean energy development are in high demand, they create high-paying jobs and they are good for the environment.”
A complete list of ELPC’s recommendations is available here
Read coverage of the clean energy proposal here
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Friday, December 12, 2008
ELPC’s Senior Policy Advocate Andy Olsen spoke with Colorado farm radio host Brian Allmer about the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). REAP grants and loan guarantees help farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses with money-saving projects like generating clean energy through wind or solar power or making their operations more energy efficient. These projects reduce pollution and create new income in rural communities. Andy explains that now is the time for farmers to start planning their clean energy projects.
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 focus on 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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