February 2020: Action Across the Region
ELPC Organizes Midwest Response in Defense of Bedrock Environmental Law ([link removed])
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The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is widely considered to be the nation’s basic environmental charter. Its core purpose is to require informed and thoughtful decision-making on large projects like highways and pipelines and their impact on the environment. Now, the Trump Administration has proposed a complete overhaul of the rules for how federal agencies carry out NEPA, ignoring climate change science and stifling public input with a far-reaching and misguided proposal. ELPC Federal Legislative Director Ann Mesnikoff quickly organized 55 Great Lakes organizations to fight back ([link removed]) , calling on the administration to extend the decision deadline and hold public hearings in the Midwest. We will be ready to challenge a final rule in court if needed! More coverage in Duluth News Tribune
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ELPC Sues WI Public Service Commission Over Discriminatory Treatment of Distributed Solar Generation ([link removed])
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Pricing for power generation should be fair and equitable no matter who's generating it. In Wisconsin, homeowners who want to put third-party solar panels on their home are reimbursed at a lower rate by the local utility, We Energies. That’s because the utility pays more for power from its own solar systems on customer property than it pays customers who own identical systems contracted through competing businesses. This isn't right, which is why we worked with Vote Solar, Sierra Club, and RENEW Wisconsin to appeal the Wisconsin Public Service Commission’s approval of a rate tariff for We Energies that violates federal and state law. “We Energies put their shareholders ahead of Wisconsin homes and businesses,” said ELPC Senior Attorney Brad Klein. “The way they went about it is complex and technical, but this case itself is simple: A large company is illegally trying to squeeze out competition.”
ELPC Commends Congress on Reauthorization and Increased Funding for GLRI ([link removed])

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With strong bipartisan support, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2019, reauthorizing and increasing funding for the successful Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). ELPC has been an advocate for this program since its inception. This critically important program supports work across the Great Lakes and increased GLRI funding is necessary to combat toxic algae in Lake Erie, threats of invasive species, and the significant stress placed on our Great Lakes infrastructure and ecosystem by climate change. Protecting our Great Lakes and the people who rely on them for safe, clean drinking water and recreation is not a partisan issue. We look forward to the Senate passing this important legislation. In addition, welcoming the passage in the House of Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2019, ELPC’s Federal Legislative Director testified in support of GLRI before House Appropriations subcommittee and urged increased funding for FY2021.

Clean Energy Win: Successful Settlement in Indiana Michigan Power Rate Case ([link removed])
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ELPC and allies intervened in a rate case filed by utility Indiana Michigan Power (I&M), where we were able to cut the utilities requested rate increase by $22.1 million and improve the clean energy landscape in Michigan. I&M’s original plan would have greatly reduced the credit paid back to customers who sell electricity from solar panels or wind turbines back to the grid, which, as ELPC Staff Attorney Nikhil Vijaykar explained ([link removed]) , would have “essentially killed” the local solar market. “This settlement is a victory on two fronts,” Vijaykar said. “First, we won a reasonable interim rate for distributed generation customers and kept Michigan moving towards a fair, value-based rate for solar. Second, we kept Indiana Michigan Power’s original regressive rate design proposals out of the picture.” This is a major victory for clean energy and energy efficiency in southwest Michigan.
New Report: Low-Income Solar Policy Guide for Utilities ([link removed])
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Low-income communities feel the effects climate change most profoundly but are often left out of the solutions. Our new report, “Principles and Recommendations for Utility Participation in Solar Programs for Low-Income Customers," written in collaboration with GRID Alternatives & Vote Solar lays out realistic, common-sense guidelines for utilities to share those solutions – and the clean energy future – with all. “Clean energy should be for everyone, and with a few strategic shifts, it can be,” said report co-author MeLena Hessel, senior policy advocate with ELPC. Download the full report to learn more. ([link removed])
UPCOMING EVENTS
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The Midwest’s favorite environmental party is just a few months away! Join us for what’s always a fun night.

BUY TICKETS ([link removed])
ELPC NEWS CENTER
The Pine Journal: Minnesota regulators OK Line 3 certificate of need, route permit and environmental review ([link removed])
The Londoner (Canada): The World Outdoors: January brings little snow, bald eagles, other interesting birds to Middlesex ([link removed])
The Cap Times: Howard Learner Op-Ed: Savvy Policies can Grow Wisconsin’s Renewable Energy Jobs ([link removed])
Chicago Tribune: Chicago’s Pedway is a Confusing Underground Labyrinth. But Help is On the Way ([link removed])
Dubuque Telegraph Herald: Howard Learner Op-Ed: Water quality a key issue for southwest Wisconsin voters ([link removed])
WE'RE HIRING
Major and Planned Gifts Officer ([link removed])
Public Interest M.B.A. Sustainable Business Fellow ([link removed])
Associate Attorney Public Interest Environmental Law Fellow ([link removed])

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