The Great Lakes Zephyr - Wind Energy & Hydrogen Journal

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW & POLICY CENTER
September ELPC News

NEW RELEASE
New Illinois Tollway Plan Released:

Lake County Route-53 Out, Will County I-355 In

The Tollway Plan that was released late last month by the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority included good news and bad news. The very good news: the Plan excluded the Lake County Route-53 Tollroad expansion for the first time in 40 years. This is a big victory for ELPC and our colleagues in the Tollway Accountability Campaign (TAC). Route-53 was removed from the Plan following a decade of advocacy and increasing public pressure. More good news: Other reform elements we sought are included as well.

The bad news: Interstate-355 is still included in the plan. Instead of easing congestion, the $900 million, 12.5-mile road expansion will increase sprawl and air pollution in Will County. In addition, TAC members point out that it is unfair for all toll users to pay for the road whether or not they use it. TAC supports a "better, faster and cheaper" alternative Action Plan that would improve Will County's existing roads and make other improvements in lieu of adding a large tollroad and its six interchanges.

For more information on TAC's mission, visit http://www.elpc.org/trans/toll/toll16.htm.


IN THE NEWS

Victory! New Commercial Energy Efficient Building Code Legislation Signed in Illinois

Governor Blagojevich signed the new Illinois Energy Efficiency Commercial Building Act, which was passed after a two-year ELPC-led advocacy campaign. The new law establishes a statewide energy efficient building code for commercial buildings. It will mean significant energy savings (6% -16%) for Illinois businesses and cleaner air for all by reducing mercury pollution.

ELPC worked with a coalition of legislators and over 40 non-profit organizations and business supporters to achieve this victory for Illinois. Key members of this coalition include the American Institute of Architects and the Chemical Industry Council of Illinois and environmental/public health organizations such as Illinois PIRG, Citizen Action and the Illinois Environmental Council. From here, ELPC will work on the regulations to be issued by the Illinois Capital Development Board and with municipalities to help them understand the new standards and design programs to implement the code effectively. ELPC is organizing efforts with the Building Codes Assistance Project and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity on training content and outreach.


Big Increase in Farm Bill Clean Energy Project Grant Applications to USDA

The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Grant Program (Section 9006) of the 2002 Federal Farm Bill's Energy Title is proving to be a popular funding source for farmers and rural small business owners who want to invest in renewable energy or energy efficiency systems. Section 9006 provides $23 million per year for clean energy development in rural communities. ELPC was instrumental in the creation and passage of Section 9006, and we are the national leaders in promoting and implementing this innovative new program.

In 2003, its first year of implementation, $21 million in grants were awarded to 112 farmers and small business owners; the Midwest/Great Plains states were the biggest winners, obtaining $13 million of the total funds. In 2004, 237 farmers and small business owners have applied for funding through the program, which has proven to have broad appeal across agricultural sectors and state lines. Awards will be announced in early September.

ELPC has worked closely with USDA to improve the program rules and with Congress to restore funding that was cut by the Bush Administration. This past year, we also stepped up our outreach efforts to increase the number of applicants, which has clearly paid off. To read more about Section 9006, visit FarmEnergy.org.


ELPC Initial Victory at NRC on Proposed New Clinton 2 Nuclear Plant

ELPC and our colleagues won the first battle to participate in a licensing board hearing on the proposed new Clinton 2 nuclear plant to be located in Central Illinois. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Atomic Safety and Licensing Board ruled in August that ELPC could intervene in the siting hearings to present expert testimony and legal arguments that a combination of clean energy alternatives, including wind power, solar energy and natural gas generation, are better, faster, cheaper, safer and more environmentally sound than a costly new nuclear plant. The ruling came from a three-judge Licensing Board of the NRC, which is the federal agency responsible for licensing and regulating nuclear plant safety. ELPC and its attorneys took the lead on this issue and were joined by Public Citizen, Nuclear Energy Information Service and Nuclear Information and Resource Service.

Exelon Generating is requesting approval of an "Early Site Permit" for a new Clinton 2 nuclear plant, which if granted by the NRC would allow the company to "bank" the site for 20 years. Following discovery and other preliminary proceedings, the evidentiary hearings are likely to be held in late 2005. Stay tuned.


ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner Listed in Crain's Who's Who

Crain's Chicago Business recently released it's Who's Who in Chicago Business 2004. ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner is included in the distinguished list of Who's Who in Non-Profits.

To see the full listing, click here:
http://chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/article.pl?portal_id=35&mpid=35&page_id=1602


ELPC Participates in Illinois' Renewable Energy Fair

ELPC joined other Illinois renewable energy advocates at the Third Annual Illinois Renewable Energy Fair in Oregon, IL on August 7th and 8th. ELPC Policy Advocate Barry Matchett spoke to an audience of fairgoers about opportunities in the Federal Farm Bill's Clean Energy Programs and updated the group on regional efforts to pass statewide renewable energy standards.

People from around the Midwest came to learn more about renewable energy opportunities in the region. Exhibitors included solar, wind, and biofuel innovators as well as residents of earth-sheltered homes and sustainable communities found here in the Midwest. For more information about this fair and future fairs, please visit the Illinois Renewable Energy Association at
www.illinoisrenew.org.


ELPC Welcomes Three New Staff

Meleah Geertsma joined ELPC as an Environmental Law Fellow on September 13th. Meleah is an Environmental Law Fellow working on a broad range of environmental litigation and policy issues. During law school, she interned with a private law firm, Health Law Advocates (Boston), and a legal services center. She completed her masters of public health with a concentration in environmental health, law and development. Before attending law school, Meleah worked as a policy analyst at the Federal Trade Commission on health care and general antitrust issues. J.D., Harvard Law School, 2003; M.P.H., Harvard School of Public Health, 2004; B.A., Brown University, 1998.

Carrie La Seur joined ELPC as an Environmental Law Fellow on September 13th. Carrie is an Environmental Law Fellow working on a broad range of environmental litigation and policy issues. She previously worked as a law clerk at Shuttleworth & Ingersoll in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and clerked for the Federal Court of Australia. During law school, she interned at Earthjustice and with two private law firms. Before attending law school, Carrie was a Rhodes Scholar and a Visiting Assistant Professor of French and a Research Fellow at the University of Iowa. JD, Yale University, 2002; D.Phil.Oxon., University College, Oxford, 1996; BA, Bryn Mawr College, 1993.

Kay Scanlon joined ELPC this June as the new Development Assistant. Kay graduated from Notre Dame University in 2003 with a major in Anthropology, and she has done internships with various environmental and other not-for-profit organizations in the US, Africa (Kenya) and South America (Brazil). Kay grew up in Neenah, Wisconsin.


ECO-FRIENDLY TIP: Travel Sensibly

Whether you walk, bike, use public transit or carpool to work, keep in mind that 1/3 of all traffic is comprised of commuters. Use alternative transportation when possible. If you must drive, go slower and keep your tires inflated properly. It saves both fuel and tires, and lowers emissions. It also saves lives.



SAVE THE DATE

Register Today for the 2004 Chicago Greening Symposium

You are cordially invited to attend the 2004 Chicago Greening Symposium. This annual event draws the top landscape architects, city planners, and environmentalists from all over the continent. In addition to this year's keynote speaker, world-renowned landscape architect Carol Franklin, the conference features over a dozen other experts discussing their successes in greening the urban landscape. Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley will present his aspiration to help make Chicago the "greenest city in America."

Taking place September 14th through September 17th, the Symposium will highlight the success that Chicago has attained, both in terms of beautification and in terms of environmental sustainability. Individuals from all over the county have learned to use this Symposium as a springboard towards improving their own urban landscapes. Also note: AIA continuing education credit is being given for the attendance of this symposium.

The cost of the Symposium is $200 and includes all of the programming for 4 days. Great lodging rates have also been arranged at Chicago's Fairmont Hotel (312) 565-8000 and the Hard Rock Hotel (312) 345-1000. For symposium reservations, please call Christine Harvey at (312) 742-5349.

Please visit www.cityofchicago.org and click on the "Know About the 2004 Greening Symposium" link.


Illinois Environmental Conference 2004

Register today to attend the Illinois Environmental Conference 2004 on October 7 and 8, 2004 at the Union League Club of Chicago. The theme of this year's conference will be "Evolutions in Law & Policy" and will feature a wide range of speakers including ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner and ELPC Senior Attorney Albert Ettinger. It will be a good learning and networking opportunity.

To register online, visit www.chicagobar.org/2004enviroconf.htm. If you have any questions, please call the Chicago Bar Association's ticketing department at (312) 554-2000 or e-mail the continuing legal education department at cle@chicagobar.org.


DONATE TO ELPC

Your Support Does Make a Difference!

Join ELPC in promoting clean and renewable energy, protecting open and wild places, and cleaning up our community's air and water. Proudly wear an ELPC baseball cap to show your support for the Midwest's leading public interest environmental advocacy organization. If you donate $100 or more, we will send you a beautiful new ELPC cap in khaki or black.

Click here to make a donation or call Brian Kelly at 312-795-3722.


The Environmental Law and Policy Center is the Midwest's leading public interest environmental legal advocacy and eco-business innovation organization working to improve environmental quality and protect natural resources in our communities.

Please visit ELPC online ( http://www.elpc.org) for more information.

Environmental Law and Policy Center
35 East Wacker Drive,
Suite 1300
Chicago, Illinois
60601
312-673-6500 - phone
312-795-3730 - fax