More than 120 environmental advocates from across the state of Illinois are in Springfield to encourage their legislators to pass critical environmental legislation currently moving through the legislature.
Lobby Day 2010 is sponsored by a partnership of: Illinois Environmental Council, Faith in Place, Environment Illinois, Sierra Club, and Protestants for the Common Good.
The following bills are our priorities for the day.
RENEW Illinois – Energy Package
Rebuild Our Economy With New Energy Work
(SB 3426/HB 6202, SB 3686/HB 6013, SB 2505, & HB 5429)
The components of RENEW are an important step in Illinois’ transition to a clean energy economy. Establishing the rights of multi-unit homeowners to participate in clean energy generation, raising caps on the amount of power individuals can produce, and establishing interim benchmarks for solar procurement will spur greater development and job creation within the industry. Also, the increased use of renewable energy sources can greatly reduce Illinois’ contribution to climate change.
- SB 3426-Bond/ HB 6202-Burns: Raises the cap on the net metering program to allow more people access to the benefits of renewable energy generation.
- SB 3686-Harmon / HB 6013-Graham: Provides interim benchmarks for solar production so the targets for the Renewable Portfolio Standard will be met by 2015.
- SB 2505-Frerichs: Allows homeowners to access low interest loans through a voluntary tax assessment.
- HB 5429-Feigenholtz: Ensures a homeowner’s right to install renewable energy systems, such as solar panels, on their property.
Bisphenol-A Free Kids Act
(HB 6088 & SB 3750)
- Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a toxic chemical linked to reproductive problems, learning disabilities, hormone disruption, and cancer.
- BPA is used in plastic food containers and most cans of food sold in the U.S.
- BPA leaches from these products, exposing even the youngest children, whom are the most vulnerable and most often exposed to BPA.
- Protects Illinois children’s health from BPA by eliminating it from baby food and infant formula cans, baby bottles, sippy cups, sports water bottles, and other reusable food containers.
STAR Bonds Financing
SB 2093 (HFA2) & HB 2376 (SFA1)
- STAR Bonds Financing gives money to private developers at Illinois Taxpayers expense to develop in the 100-year floodplain.
- Each STAR bond project could cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenue.
- Floodplains should remain undeveloped.
- Such projects would be unwise anytime, but especially now when the state already has an enormous deficit and faces severe budget cuts.
- Neither bill is called the STAR Bonds Financing. SB2093 amends the Mental Health Development Disabilities Act and HB2376 amends the State Facility Closure Act.
Nuclear Moratorium
(SB 3388 & HB 4875)
- Lifts the moratorium on building new nuclear power plants in Illinois.
- Currently there is a ban in Illinois on new plant construction until a safe and effective means for the disposal of high level nuclear waste has been identified and approved. SB 3388 & HB 4875 would lift that ban.
