March 2024 ENews
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This Month
Across the Midwest
** ► MARCH 2024 NEWSLETTER
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** Protecting the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge ([link removed])
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On behalf of three conservation groups, ELPC filed a lawsuit this week to protect the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge. We argue that the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Rural Utilities Service, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers violated federal laws by approving the Cardinal-Hickory Creek high-voltage transmission line. It would plow through the refuge near Cassville, WI, blocking a major north-south flyway for migratory birds such as cranes and eagle.
ELPC represents the Driftless Area Land Conservancy (DALC), Wisconsin Wildlife Fedeation, and National Wildlife Refuge Association in this lawsuit. DALC Executive Director Jennifer Filipiak said, “The transmission companies did not evaluate alternative crossings outside of the Refuge in their environmental impact statement, and we should not set a precedent that a simple land swap is all it takes to plow through a national treasure.”
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** News & Updates
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** CLEAN AIR
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** New Report on ELPC Air Quality Monitoring Data in Chicago ([link removed])
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Since 2013, ELPC has monitored air quality in Chicago. Our new innovative analysis shows air pollution hotspots near highways and railyards and provides recommendations to reduce pollution and protect public health.
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** CLEAN WATER
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** Illinois Legislature Pursues Wetlands Protections ([link removed])
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After the U.S. Supreme Court rolled back Clean Water Act protections in the Sackett decision last year, it fell to states to fill the gaps. ELPC is working with environmental and conservation partners on a new bill to protect Illinois’ critical wetlands.
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** CLEAN ENERGY
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** Consumers Energy Rate Case Spotlights Grid Equity & Environmental Justice ([link removed])
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Last week, the Michigan Public Service Commission released its final decision on the 2024 Consumers Energy rate case. ELPC celebrated wins for reliability improvements, a comprehensive transportation electrification plan, and a more detailed environmental justice analysis.
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** Clean Energy Needs Clean Government in Ohio ([link removed])
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Ohio’s former Speaker of the House, Larry Householder, has been convicted of bribery but now claims that bribe payments were protected under the First Amendment. ELPC will speak out to call for accountability so corruption cannot continue to hinder smart, efficient, and cost-effective clean energy adoption.
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** UPCOMING EVENTS
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** ELPC Thinks Webinar | A Conversation with Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi ([link removed])
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Tuesday, March 12 @ 12:15 PM Central Time
Zoom
** REGISTER HERE ([link removed])
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** Save the Date: ELPC's 2024 Annual Gala ([link removed] )
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Friday, May 31, 2024
Navy Pier, Chicago
** RSVP NOW ([link removed])
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** 10th Annual Midwest Solar Expo ([link removed])
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May 20 - 22, 2024
Chicago, IL
** REGISTER HERE ([link removed])
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** NEWS ROUNDUP
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* Crain’s Detroit Business: Consumers Energy will Raise Base Electric Rates by $92m – a 2.1% Increase ([link removed])
* Inside Indiana Business: Environmental Group Outlines Concerns over Whiting Refinery Permit Renewal ([link removed])
* IndianapolisNews.Net: Environmental and Economic Benefits See Push for Electric Bus Fleets ([link removed])
* Utility Dive: A New Paradigm in Grid Equity and Reliability Analysis ([link removed])
* WORT FM: Logging in Chequamegon-Nicolet Forest and Uranium Mining at the Grand Canyon ([link removed])
* CBS News: Emissions, Mishaps from Northwest Indiana BP Refinery Draw Ire of Residents and Activists ([link removed])
* ELPC Blog: Cutting Methane Emissions to Protect Clean Air & Climate ([link removed])
* Wisconsin Examiner: Environmental Group Alleges Illegal Logging in Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest ([link removed])
* ELPC Blog: “They Set the Skies on Fire”: Working to Rein in BP Whiting Refinery’s Air Pollution ([link removed])
* Chicago Sun-Times: Plan for Underwater Lakeside Dump Delayed Over Concerns ([link removed])
* ELPC Blog: A Valentine’s Day Ballad by ELPC ([link removed])
* ELPC Blog: Dear Hertz… On EV Car Rentals, Please “Make a New Plan, Stan” ([link removed])
* Chicago Sun-Times: Illinois Commerce Commission Must Keep Protecting Customers from Unreasonable Rate Hikes ([link removed])
* Chicago Post-Tribune: IDEM, East Chicago Schools Trade Blame Over Cancelled BP Refinery Air Permit ([link removed])
* Toledo Blade: Lawmakers Support Renewal of Great Lakes Funding Initiative ([link removed])
* ABC7: EVs Take Center Stage at the 2024 Chicago Auto Show ([link removed])
* Chicago Sun-Times: ComEd Giving $57 Million to Governments, Businesses for Electric Vehicles ([link removed])
** We're all in to protect the Midwest's environment.
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Founded in 1993, the Environmental Law & Policy Center is the Midwest's leading environmental legal advocacy organization. We advocate, innovate, and litigate to protect the Midwest's environment from the Great Lakes to the Great Plains.
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Environmental Law and Policy Center . 35 E Upper Wacker Dr . Ste 1600 . Chicago, Illinois 60601 . USA
