Monday I attended an event to announce the acquisition of Black Crown Marsh near the Lake-McHenry county line. The key purchase finlized last week was the IDNR buying 113 acres that used to be a private hunting club. The tract is home to nine threatened or endangered bird species, and features high quality wetlands, wooded areas, and rolling terrain.
The area around the Marsh is under severe development pressure, of course, and most of the woods and wetlands in the area seemed to have for sale signs in them. Event as we stood to celebrate the purchase with the protect landscape behind us, off in another direction heavy construction equipment could be seen finishing scraping the topsoil off of an adjacent parcel, soon to be another subdivision.
But that won't happen to Black Crown Marsh, thanks to the State of Illinois, which ponied up close to $5 million for the purchase, and its partners in the deal, the Lake County Forest Preserve District, and Corlands, a nonprofit land protection organization. Thanks to their efforts and their dollars, the residents of those new subdivisions, and the entire region, will have a beautiful piece of Illinois' natural heritage to enjoy.
October 17, 2006
October 09, 2006
Blagojevich the Right Choice To Protect Illinois' Environment
Illinois’ air and water are cleaner today because of the work Governor Blagojevich has done to take on the polluters, and promote solutions to environmental problems. Sierra Club acknowledged this record of achievement with our endorsement Sunday.
This is exactly the kind of leadership that Illinois needs in the years ahead, when we face major choices about air, water, land, and energy policies. Illinois will decide whether or not we take serious action to combat global warming, whether we make smart, clean energy choices, whether we protect our drinking water supplies, and whether we protect our last remaining wetlands, prairies, and forests.
Unfortunately Washington has been making the wrong choices. Congress and the Bush Administration choose to keep subsidizing big oil, and to keep shortchanging renewable energy. Washington chooses to go slow and easy on pollution controls on coal-burning power plants, despite clear evidence that their mercury, smog, and soot emissions are hurting our children and many others. The U.S. Supreme Court has left most of Illinois’ remaining wetlands open to destruction, despite the fact that we count on them to protect us from floods, protect our drinking water, and provide a home for wildlife.
Washington isn’t helping, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t do better. We can do better, and under Governor Blagojevich, we have been doing better.
Under Governor Blagojevich, Illinois has done better at cleaning up air pollution. After the Bush Administration proposed going slow on installing mercury pollution controls on coal plants, Illinois is poised to require a 90% reduction of mercury by 2009 – by far the strongest response of any state. Three years ago, there were 11 hospital waste incinerators burning across our state, putting mercury, dioxin, and other pollutants into our air. Since Governor Blagojevich called on them to shut down, all but one of them has, and the last may close soon – a remarkable achievement.
Illinois is taking major steps toward a smart energy future, where consumers are protected against rate shocks, our air and water are cleaner, and new jobs are created in clean energy businesses. Governor Blagojevich has proposed a requirement that 10% of Illinois’ electricity come from wind power by 2015. He has led by example by pledging to power the buildings under his control in Springfield exclusively by wind energy. His energy plan includes provisions to encourage cellulosic ethanol development, and energy efficiency programs to save consumers and businesses money by saving energy.
Illinois is doing more to keep our drinking water clean and ensure that we have enough for everyone. Under Governor Blagojevich, Illinois has moved to control phosphorus pollution, which threatens drinking water and wildlife across our state. Illinois is also moving to make sure that we have enough ground and surface water for drinking, for agriculture, for industry, and for wildlife.
Finally, Illinois is serious about addressing the threats posed by global warming. While top scientists tell us we may only have ten years to do something about global warming before it becomes irreversible, Washington has their head in the sand and their hand out to special interests. With as little as ten years to reverse this problem, we can’t wait for change in Washington, we need to start now here in Illinois. This week the Governor announced the first step in a major effort to combat climate change, beginning with a commitment to reduce state government’s emissions of global warming pollution. Illinois is the first state in the Midwest to make that commitment. We know that Governor Blagojevich is committed to developing a comprehensive program to reduce Illinois’ contribution to global warming by regulating carbon emissions. We look forward to working with him and his team to come up with a solution that works best for Illinois.
The Sierra Club endorsement is a hard one to get. We do not make an endorsement in every race, but only the ones in which we find a candidate who truly shares our values, and who is willing to put the public’s interest in a clean environment above the special interests that too often dominate our politics. We do not endorse the lesser of two evils, we choose the strongest of champions. Four years ago, Governor Blagojevich became the first Illinois Governor to be endorsed by the Sierra Club, and we are proud to announce that he has earned our support again, and the support of all Illinois voters who value clean air, clean water, and Illinois’ natural heritage.
I have been working my whole adult life to encourage the State of Illinois to take strong action to protect our environment. Historically, Illinois has lagged behind – too often the goal would be to do the least we could to comply with the law Under Governor Blagojevich, however, Illinois a is emerging as a national leader in promoting innovative solutions to environmental problems. We no longer ask “what’s the least we can do”, and instead ask “what’s the best we can do.”
The people of Illinois want clean air and clean water. They know that our old energy policies have given them high prices, high pollution levels, and threats to our national security. They are hungry for solutions. Over the last four years, Governor Blagojevich has been working to promote those solutions, and Sierra Club is proud to recommend him to pro-environment voters across Illinois.
This is exactly the kind of leadership that Illinois needs in the years ahead, when we face major choices about air, water, land, and energy policies. Illinois will decide whether or not we take serious action to combat global warming, whether we make smart, clean energy choices, whether we protect our drinking water supplies, and whether we protect our last remaining wetlands, prairies, and forests.
Unfortunately Washington has been making the wrong choices. Congress and the Bush Administration choose to keep subsidizing big oil, and to keep shortchanging renewable energy. Washington chooses to go slow and easy on pollution controls on coal-burning power plants, despite clear evidence that their mercury, smog, and soot emissions are hurting our children and many others. The U.S. Supreme Court has left most of Illinois’ remaining wetlands open to destruction, despite the fact that we count on them to protect us from floods, protect our drinking water, and provide a home for wildlife.
Washington isn’t helping, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t do better. We can do better, and under Governor Blagojevich, we have been doing better.
Under Governor Blagojevich, Illinois has done better at cleaning up air pollution. After the Bush Administration proposed going slow on installing mercury pollution controls on coal plants, Illinois is poised to require a 90% reduction of mercury by 2009 – by far the strongest response of any state. Three years ago, there were 11 hospital waste incinerators burning across our state, putting mercury, dioxin, and other pollutants into our air. Since Governor Blagojevich called on them to shut down, all but one of them has, and the last may close soon – a remarkable achievement.
Illinois is taking major steps toward a smart energy future, where consumers are protected against rate shocks, our air and water are cleaner, and new jobs are created in clean energy businesses. Governor Blagojevich has proposed a requirement that 10% of Illinois’ electricity come from wind power by 2015. He has led by example by pledging to power the buildings under his control in Springfield exclusively by wind energy. His energy plan includes provisions to encourage cellulosic ethanol development, and energy efficiency programs to save consumers and businesses money by saving energy.
Illinois is doing more to keep our drinking water clean and ensure that we have enough for everyone. Under Governor Blagojevich, Illinois has moved to control phosphorus pollution, which threatens drinking water and wildlife across our state. Illinois is also moving to make sure that we have enough ground and surface water for drinking, for agriculture, for industry, and for wildlife.
Finally, Illinois is serious about addressing the threats posed by global warming. While top scientists tell us we may only have ten years to do something about global warming before it becomes irreversible, Washington has their head in the sand and their hand out to special interests. With as little as ten years to reverse this problem, we can’t wait for change in Washington, we need to start now here in Illinois. This week the Governor announced the first step in a major effort to combat climate change, beginning with a commitment to reduce state government’s emissions of global warming pollution. Illinois is the first state in the Midwest to make that commitment. We know that Governor Blagojevich is committed to developing a comprehensive program to reduce Illinois’ contribution to global warming by regulating carbon emissions. We look forward to working with him and his team to come up with a solution that works best for Illinois.
The Sierra Club endorsement is a hard one to get. We do not make an endorsement in every race, but only the ones in which we find a candidate who truly shares our values, and who is willing to put the public’s interest in a clean environment above the special interests that too often dominate our politics. We do not endorse the lesser of two evils, we choose the strongest of champions. Four years ago, Governor Blagojevich became the first Illinois Governor to be endorsed by the Sierra Club, and we are proud to announce that he has earned our support again, and the support of all Illinois voters who value clean air, clean water, and Illinois’ natural heritage.
I have been working my whole adult life to encourage the State of Illinois to take strong action to protect our environment. Historically, Illinois has lagged behind – too often the goal would be to do the least we could to comply with the law Under Governor Blagojevich, however, Illinois a is emerging as a national leader in promoting innovative solutions to environmental problems. We no longer ask “what’s the least we can do”, and instead ask “what’s the best we can do.”
The people of Illinois want clean air and clean water. They know that our old energy policies have given them high prices, high pollution levels, and threats to our national security. They are hungry for solutions. Over the last four years, Governor Blagojevich has been working to promote those solutions, and Sierra Club is proud to recommend him to pro-environment voters across Illinois.
September 29, 2006
A Big Blow To a Big Polluter
This week the federal Environmental Appeals Board dealt a major setback to proposal by Indeck for a new dirty coal plant south of Joliet, right next to the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie.
This is a huge victory for those who have fought against all odds against the Indeck proposal. The proposal is not dead, but serious questions have been raised. Congratulations to Bruce Nilles, Verena Owen, Becki Clayborne, Jerry Heinrich, and everyone else who has been working to stop the plant.
More details are available here and here.
This is a huge victory for those who have fought against all odds against the Indeck proposal. The proposal is not dead, but serious questions have been raised. Congratulations to Bruce Nilles, Verena Owen, Becki Clayborne, Jerry Heinrich, and everyone else who has been working to stop the plant.
More details are available here and here.
September 26, 2006
Clean Cars - Not Just for The Feds Anymore
Today's Chicago Tribune has a front-page article on the village of Wilmette's proposal to give residents who buy efficient cars a break on their annual sticker fee.
Good for WIlmette. Good for the Chicago proposal to give free parking to hybrids. Good for Gov. Blagojevich for proposing a $500 tax credit for buyers of efficent cars. Good for State Rep. Dave Winters, whom I heard at a forum in Rockford Monday night talking about plans for legislation to give state sales tax breaks to clean car buyers.
The public clearly does not want to drive around in their gas guzzlers waiting for Washington to get its collective head out of the sand. We can do better, as individuals and local governments.
Good for WIlmette. Good for the Chicago proposal to give free parking to hybrids. Good for Gov. Blagojevich for proposing a $500 tax credit for buyers of efficent cars. Good for State Rep. Dave Winters, whom I heard at a forum in Rockford Monday night talking about plans for legislation to give state sales tax breaks to clean car buyers.
The public clearly does not want to drive around in their gas guzzlers waiting for Washington to get its collective head out of the sand. We can do better, as individuals and local governments.
August 22, 2006
Blagojevich Unveils Energy Plan
Today Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich proposed a major new package of policies, programs, and incentives entitled "Leading the Way to Energy Independence."
We certainly agree with Governor Blagojevich that we can't count on Washington to lead Illinois or America into a smart energy future. Congress and the Bush Administration have largely pressed on with old policies that have left us with soaring oil prices, a dangerous dependence on foreign oil, and pollution problems that pose major threats to our health. It is indeed up to states like Illinois to take the lead on their own to implement the solutions we need to break our foreign oil addiction, create new jobs in clean energy, and reduce the pollution that threatens our health and our planet.
Blagojevich's plan includes several bold new proposals that would move Illinois towards a cleaner, safer energy future. We strongly support the Governor's proposal to get 10% of Illinois' electric power from wind and other renewable sources by 2015. The Governor has already boosted the Illinois wind industry by moving to power the State Capitol in Springfield with wind energy, as part of a groundbreaking agreement between the Sierra Club and Springfield's City Water, Light, and Power. We also welcome proposals for more investment in energy efficiency, which will help ratepayers cut their electric bills and save energy, a new loan program for local governments and small businesses to conserve power, and a new statewide residential building code to require efficient building practices.
The Governor's initiative to promote the production of ethanol from switchgrass, crop residues, and other plant materials is particularly exciting. Cellulosic ethanol production promises significant advantages over corn ethanol production, including higher energy return, lower cultivation inputs, and soil conservation benefits. Cellulosic ethanol production mixing ethanol feedstocks with conventional agricultural produce should be explored.
The Governor's plan also could deliver savings in fuel consumption and pollution by considering clean vehicle requirements, more investment in mass transit, and improved land use planning to reduce traffic congestion and give more residents choices in how they travel to work, shop, or play.
These conservation and clean energy proposals are exciting and an important foundation of any balanced energy strategy for Illinois. However, most of the proposed state spending in the Governor's plan is focused on increasing the supply of energy from coal and biofuels. These energy sources have the potential to be a part of a smart energy future, but they also raise key questions that we will be paying close attention to as the plan moves forward.
Burning gas produced from coal for electricity can be much cleaner than traditional pulverized coal plants like those in Illinois today. The potential also exists to capture the carbon emissions, which are main cause of global warming, and "sequester" them underground. The Governor's plan would not require coal gasification plants receiving subsidies under this plan to sequester their carbon emissions, but would apparently strongly encourage them to do so. The proposal to build a pipeline to use sequestered carbon from coal gasification plants to increase oil-field production is an interesting one which we believe is unprecedented. We pledge to work with the State as this idea develops to gauge its effectiveness in sequestering carbon, and any potential impacts caused by the new oil production. The state must also ensure that the mining of coal is done at locations and in such a manner as to minimize the loss of habitat and water quality impacts to our rivers and lakes. Sierra Club does not support the production of auto fuel from coal, as it produces more pollution than gasoline.
We understand the potential economic development benefits of corn-based ethanol production in Illinois, but the environmental benefits are difficult to measure. Burning ethanol blended-fuel in our cars does reduce global warming pollution slightly, but does not affect smog and soot levels. Depending on their location, ethanol production plants can have major impacts that must be taken into account. It takes 4-5 gallons of water to produce a gallon of ethanol, and Illinois historically has lacked programs to regulate water withdrawals to ensure that large users in the wrong place do not take water needed for drinking, for wildlife, or for other uses. If 2.5 billion gallons of ethanol are produced in Illinois under this plan, it will require a tremendous amount of water. We urge the State to use the financial incentives in this plan, and develop new regulatory programs, to ensure that the burgeoning ethanol industry in Illinois does not drain our aquifers or our rivers dry. Sierra Club opposes coal-fired ethanol production because it causes more pollution than gasoline.
Finally, we encourage the State to develop a framework for ensuring that the plan contributes to real and regular reductions in the air pollution that harms public health here in Illinois and contributes to global warming. Cleaner energy technologies will deliver much cleaner air to Illinois if they replace old, dirty technology, rather than simply supplementing it. We also will work with the State to ensure that steps taken to expedite the development of the plan allow for adequate public participation in the planning and consideration of these major projects.
Sierra Club applauds Governor Blagojevich’s commitment towards an energy independent Illinois. We share that commitment, and pledge to work with the State as it further develops and implements this plan in a way that harnesses modern technology to meet our energy needs and reduces air pollution, including global warming pollution.
We certainly agree with Governor Blagojevich that we can't count on Washington to lead Illinois or America into a smart energy future. Congress and the Bush Administration have largely pressed on with old policies that have left us with soaring oil prices, a dangerous dependence on foreign oil, and pollution problems that pose major threats to our health. It is indeed up to states like Illinois to take the lead on their own to implement the solutions we need to break our foreign oil addiction, create new jobs in clean energy, and reduce the pollution that threatens our health and our planet.
Blagojevich's plan includes several bold new proposals that would move Illinois towards a cleaner, safer energy future. We strongly support the Governor's proposal to get 10% of Illinois' electric power from wind and other renewable sources by 2015. The Governor has already boosted the Illinois wind industry by moving to power the State Capitol in Springfield with wind energy, as part of a groundbreaking agreement between the Sierra Club and Springfield's City Water, Light, and Power. We also welcome proposals for more investment in energy efficiency, which will help ratepayers cut their electric bills and save energy, a new loan program for local governments and small businesses to conserve power, and a new statewide residential building code to require efficient building practices.
The Governor's initiative to promote the production of ethanol from switchgrass, crop residues, and other plant materials is particularly exciting. Cellulosic ethanol production promises significant advantages over corn ethanol production, including higher energy return, lower cultivation inputs, and soil conservation benefits. Cellulosic ethanol production mixing ethanol feedstocks with conventional agricultural produce should be explored.
The Governor's plan also could deliver savings in fuel consumption and pollution by considering clean vehicle requirements, more investment in mass transit, and improved land use planning to reduce traffic congestion and give more residents choices in how they travel to work, shop, or play.
These conservation and clean energy proposals are exciting and an important foundation of any balanced energy strategy for Illinois. However, most of the proposed state spending in the Governor's plan is focused on increasing the supply of energy from coal and biofuels. These energy sources have the potential to be a part of a smart energy future, but they also raise key questions that we will be paying close attention to as the plan moves forward.
Burning gas produced from coal for electricity can be much cleaner than traditional pulverized coal plants like those in Illinois today. The potential also exists to capture the carbon emissions, which are main cause of global warming, and "sequester" them underground. The Governor's plan would not require coal gasification plants receiving subsidies under this plan to sequester their carbon emissions, but would apparently strongly encourage them to do so. The proposal to build a pipeline to use sequestered carbon from coal gasification plants to increase oil-field production is an interesting one which we believe is unprecedented. We pledge to work with the State as this idea develops to gauge its effectiveness in sequestering carbon, and any potential impacts caused by the new oil production. The state must also ensure that the mining of coal is done at locations and in such a manner as to minimize the loss of habitat and water quality impacts to our rivers and lakes. Sierra Club does not support the production of auto fuel from coal, as it produces more pollution than gasoline.
We understand the potential economic development benefits of corn-based ethanol production in Illinois, but the environmental benefits are difficult to measure. Burning ethanol blended-fuel in our cars does reduce global warming pollution slightly, but does not affect smog and soot levels. Depending on their location, ethanol production plants can have major impacts that must be taken into account. It takes 4-5 gallons of water to produce a gallon of ethanol, and Illinois historically has lacked programs to regulate water withdrawals to ensure that large users in the wrong place do not take water needed for drinking, for wildlife, or for other uses. If 2.5 billion gallons of ethanol are produced in Illinois under this plan, it will require a tremendous amount of water. We urge the State to use the financial incentives in this plan, and develop new regulatory programs, to ensure that the burgeoning ethanol industry in Illinois does not drain our aquifers or our rivers dry. Sierra Club opposes coal-fired ethanol production because it causes more pollution than gasoline.
Finally, we encourage the State to develop a framework for ensuring that the plan contributes to real and regular reductions in the air pollution that harms public health here in Illinois and contributes to global warming. Cleaner energy technologies will deliver much cleaner air to Illinois if they replace old, dirty technology, rather than simply supplementing it. We also will work with the State to ensure that steps taken to expedite the development of the plan allow for adequate public participation in the planning and consideration of these major projects.
Sierra Club applauds Governor Blagojevich’s commitment towards an energy independent Illinois. We share that commitment, and pledge to work with the State as it further develops and implements this plan in a way that harnesses modern technology to meet our energy needs and reduces air pollution, including global warming pollution.
August 11, 2006
Bush Administration Proposal Much Weaker Than New Illinois Law
USEPA Administrator Stephen Johnson’s visit to Chicago to tout the Bush Administration’s voluntary approach to keeping mercury from junked cars out of our air and water is ironic. Just like their proposal to go slow and easy on cleaning up mercury from coal plants, they now propose to ask automakers and junkyards nicely to please keep this brain-damaging toxin out of our air and water supply. This is much too little, too late when the health of our children is at stake.
Why Johnson chose Chicago to showcase this is a mystery. Illinois is doing far better. A new law took effect in Illinois July 1st that sets firm goals for make sure we recycle the parts of cars that contain mercury, and recycling efforts began earlier this summer. Governor Blagojevich’s proposal to cut mercury from coal plants by 90% by 2009 would cut 2,906 more pounds of mercury than the Bush Administration’s plan. A single teaspoon of mercury is enough to contaminate an entire lake.
Perhaps the best thing Johnson can do about mercury while in Illinois is to take notes. We don’t need press conferences and voluntary initiatives to protect our kids’ health, we need strong action. Illinois is doing what it can, but mercury in the air crosses state lines, so we could also use help from Washington cutting mercury pollution across the country.
Why Johnson chose Chicago to showcase this is a mystery. Illinois is doing far better. A new law took effect in Illinois July 1st that sets firm goals for make sure we recycle the parts of cars that contain mercury, and recycling efforts began earlier this summer. Governor Blagojevich’s proposal to cut mercury from coal plants by 90% by 2009 would cut 2,906 more pounds of mercury than the Bush Administration’s plan. A single teaspoon of mercury is enough to contaminate an entire lake.
Perhaps the best thing Johnson can do about mercury while in Illinois is to take notes. We don’t need press conferences and voluntary initiatives to protect our kids’ health, we need strong action. Illinois is doing what it can, but mercury in the air crosses state lines, so we could also use help from Washington cutting mercury pollution across the country.
August 09, 2006
Victory for Springfield!
Tonight in Springfield, the City Council approved the agreement between the Sierra Club and City Water, Light, and Power that will clean the air, promote renewable energy, and create jobs in the Springfield region - a win-win-win for Springfield residents and businesses.
Among the highlights of the agreement -
-State-of-the art pollution controls on the new coal plant CWLP will build
-A commitment to purchase 120 megawatts of wind energy, including enough to power the entire state capitol!
-New conservation and efficiency programs to help residents and businesses cut power bills
-A commitment to reduce city-wide emissions of global warming pollution to 7% below 1990 levels by 2012, as called for by the Kyoto Protocol
CONGRATULATIONS to our Sangamon Valley Group leaders and volunteers, who have withstood baseless criticism of the Sierra Club since the agreement was announced a month ago, and to Becki Clayborn, Bruce Nilles, and Verena Owen who worked with them to negotiate and then defend the agreement. Thanks also to CWLP for thinking outside the box to work with us to craft a truly groundbreaking agreement that sets a great example for others to follow, while also being the best deal for local ratepayers.
Among the highlights of the agreement -
-State-of-the art pollution controls on the new coal plant CWLP will build
-A commitment to purchase 120 megawatts of wind energy, including enough to power the entire state capitol!
-New conservation and efficiency programs to help residents and businesses cut power bills
-A commitment to reduce city-wide emissions of global warming pollution to 7% below 1990 levels by 2012, as called for by the Kyoto Protocol
CONGRATULATIONS to our Sangamon Valley Group leaders and volunteers, who have withstood baseless criticism of the Sierra Club since the agreement was announced a month ago, and to Becki Clayborn, Bruce Nilles, and Verena Owen who worked with them to negotiate and then defend the agreement. Thanks also to CWLP for thinking outside the box to work with us to craft a truly groundbreaking agreement that sets a great example for others to follow, while also being the best deal for local ratepayers.
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