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Climate Action

Letters: Elwood gas plant demonstrates the need to replace fossil fuel plants with renewable energy sources

Until data center developers are required to bring their own clean energy and capacity resources and are held accountable for their outsized impact on the grid, the strain on our power grid will be untenable. It’s time to pass the POWER Act (SB4016/HB5513) and ensure the new energy era builds on CEJA, delivering a clean energy future for Illinois communities, consumers, businesses and even data centers.

Letters: Elwood gas plant demonstrates the need to replace fossil fuel plants with renewable energy sources Read More »

Plea for Black farmers

Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) -Agriculture is yet another area in which Black leaders say they are denied access. “For too long, Black farmers and growers have faced systemic barriers from land loss, discrimination in lending, equitable access to state and federal programs, and the erosion of community welfare that comes with it. These are not just agriculture issues,” said Cate Caldwell (pictured, left), a senior policy manager at the Illinois Environmental Council. “Hear me clearly: they are environmental justice issues, they are economic justice issues, they are civil rights issues.”

Plea for Black farmers Read More »

Data centers are cropping up all over Illinois. How do they work?

“There are a number of folks who are really concerned that the influx of data centers will make it harder for us to achieve the clean energy goals we set in [Illinois’s 2021 climate bill] because of how much electricity they require and also how much demand they put on our grid,” said Hannah Flath, director of communications at Illinois Environmental Council. “We’d like to see them be held accountable to the goals that our state has set, and they certainly have enough money to do so.”

Data centers are cropping up all over Illinois. How do they work? Read More »

Illinois launches paint recycling program

“The Paint Stewardship Act was negotiated over a number of years and we’re excited to see it working,” Jen Walling, CEO of the Illinois Environmental Council, told Illinois Times. “It’s a common-sense solution that keeps hazardous waste out of our landfills and waterways while making it easier for Illinois residents and businesses to responsibly recycle leftover paint. We’re proud of the work happening across the state including expanded collection sites, public education and partnership with local governments.”

Illinois launches paint recycling program Read More »

Our Chicago: How data centers could positively, negatively impact you

Jen Walling is the Chief Executive Officer of the Illinois Environmental Council.

She wrote in Crain’s that “Big Tech” is coming to Illinois and that the state isn’t ready.

“We don’t have the guardrails in place that are going to be necessary to protect our environment, to keep our rates low, to protect our communities and most importantly, protect our water,” Walling said.

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Commentary: With Big Tech’s big footprint, Illinois needs guardrails for data centers now

The POWER Act proposes a commonsense solution: require data centers to pay 100% of the costs they impose on the grid. If a private corporation’s operations require expensive new infrastructure, Illinois ratepayers shouldn’t be stuck with the bill. Data centers must pay their fair share.

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Graduates of Illinois clean energy workforce program gain a vision — and skills for the future

Core to the landmark climate law is creating “a just transition,” said Francisco Lopez Zavala, the Illinois Environmental Council’s policy program associate. For lawmakers, this means building a clean energy workforce in Illinois’ most environmentally burdened communities.

Graduates of Illinois clean energy workforce program gain a vision — and skills for the future Read More »

Illinois Wetlands Are At Risk As Federal Protections Vanish. Will State Move To Protect Them?

The Environmental Council’s conservation director Lindsay Keeney said despite opposition from the Farm Bureau, some Illinois farmers have expressed support for protections.

“Nature-based solutions – cheap, easily investible solutions, like wetlands – can store floodwater and maintain their soil health and keep their fields from flooding,”

Illinois Wetlands Are At Risk As Federal Protections Vanish. Will State Move To Protect Them? Read More »