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Our effectiveness and persistence have paid off. In a victory that ELPC started working on with our colleagues over 25 years ago, the Lake County, Illinois Board de-prioritized the unnecessary and costly Route 53 tollway extension. This massive tollway project was a boondoogle to developers and now attention can be focused on better and more cost-effective alternative transportation solutions that would improve existing roadways, public transit, and passenger rail opportunities. Watch this video of ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner explaining this victory. Read press coverage in Crain’s Chicago, Chicago Tribune, and Daily Herald. |
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On July 9, ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner, Federal Legislative Director Ann Mesnikoff, and three prominent Midwest university scientists – Professors Dana Infante (Michigan State U), Ashish Sharma (Notre Dame and U-Illinois) and Don Wuebbles (U-Illinois) – presented ELPC’s strategic advocacy and messaging frame based on our Midwest focus group research and Great Lakes Climate Change Impacts Assessment to the US Senate Climate Task Force. We then briefed Hill staff with the Northeast-Midwest Institute. There was great turnout and a strong interest in the Great Lakes and the impacts of climate change on them and the region. Howard also joined Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) at a press conference at the Shedd Aquarium to expand on their discussion about climate change in the Great Lakes and the ways we can take action now to prevent its worst effects. |
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Earlier this month, ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner testified before the U.S. House Committee on Small Business about Wisconsin’s proposed Foxconn development near Lake Michigan and the need for environmental regulation. Developments like Foxconn usually receive an environmental impact assessment before they are approved – but under Gov. Scott Walker’s administration, Wisconsin created exemptions to necessary environmental regulations, which puts Northern Illinois communities at risk of flooding . Read Howard’s full testimony here and see coverage in the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times. |
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Governor JB Pritzker signed the Coal Ash Pollution Prevention Act into law to protect Illinois’ citizens and the environment from the effects of toxic coal ash. This legislation will result in stronger rules for coal ash cleanup and fund cleanup programs through permit fees — while also requiring performance bonds or other financial security to ensure that companies set aside the money to close and clean up coal ash ponds. “This coal ash legislation is an important environmental protection success to protect safe, clean and drinkable water in Illinois,” said Howard Learner, Executive Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center.
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The Ohio Legislature passed a nuclear bailout and a rollback of energy efficiency measures after a valiant fight by clean energy advocates. HB6 bails out the economically uncompetitive First Energy Solutions Davis Besse and Perry nuclear plants and the OVEC coal plants, pares back renewable energy legislation, and eliminates energy efficiency after 2020. As ELPC Senior Attorney Rob Kelter said, “House Bill 6 represents a giant leap backwards for Ohioans, moving the state away from a potential clean energy future and staying stuck in its dirty energy past.” ELPC’s approach to strategic litigation, sophisticated research, and smart engagement in Ohio is more important than ever. |
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Join us Friday, August 9 for the 3rd Annual Chicago Fishes on the Chicago Riverwalk! We will celebrate recent improvements to the river and learn more about the fish that call it home. RSVP here.
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NLEI is currently enrolling for, short-term, Energy Project Workshop, classes start August 26th. Students will receive classroom and hands-on training in solar installation, prerequisites for the electrical field, mathematical concepts, sales and marketing. Join them for an information session M-F 8:30a-3:00p, or call at 773-247-0707 ext. 200, [email protected].
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Rob Michaels is a Senior Attorney working to protect clean water, wildlife, biodiversity and forests in the Midwest. Mr. Michaels is an experienced plaintiffs-side litigation attorney with 30 years of experience as a Partner at the Robertson, Curley & Clayton law firm and the Goldstein & McClintock law firm. He previously was a Staff Attorney and Project Director at the Environmental Law & Policy Center; University of Chicago Law School Bigelow Fellow; and Associate at the Mayer Brown & Platt law firm.J.D., Duke University Law School, 1989; B.A., University of Michigan 1986.
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Paul Dailing is an ELPC Media Relations Specialist focused on building public awareness for climate change and clean energy issues. Mr. Dailing was an Editor at the Chicago Lawyer at Law Bulletin Publishing Company. His prior journalism experience includes writing for several legal publications, extensive freelance writing, and full-time work at the Sun-Times suburban papers and the Kane County Chronicle. M.S., Journalism, Northwestern University, 2008; B.A. University of Missouri, 2002.
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Maureen Tabet is a Policy Assistant working on special projects. Ms. Tabet previously worked at AL Media and executed media plans during the 2018 election cycle. While in college, she was a student intern in Senator Dick Durbin’s office and at the Immigrant Justice Clinic. B.A., Georgetown University, Political Economy, 2018.
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