Midwest Awarded nearly 600 New Electric School Buses

In the latest round of funding from the Clean School Bus Program, U.S. EPA awarded nearly 600 electric school buses to districts in seven Midwestern states. ELPC has been a leader on electric school buses for years, showing the benefits of clean air and municipal cost savings for political leaders and school communities across the region.

We have pushed for funding from several sources to help schools make the switch, and the EPA’s Clean School Bus program is the biggest opportunity yet. A total of 3,400 school buses were awarded to 530 school districts nationwide, including 86 Midwestern communities such as Cincinnati, Milwaukee, Grand Rapids, St. Paul, Springfield, and the Menominee Nation. Electric buses are good for the environment and will reduce children’s exposure to harmful diesel fumes which contribute to asthma and other lung-related diseases.

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Annual Gala Recap

Celebrating with Governor Pritzker & Several Hundred Friends at ELPC’s 2024 Gala

Overlooking Lake Michigan, ELPC staff and supporters gathered at Navy Pier’s Offshore Rooftop venue for our 2024 Gala. We had a fantastic time sharing ELPC’s work to protect our Great lakes and improve the Midwest’s environment. Thank you to all who joined us!

Clean Energy

Environmental Groups Call out MidAmerican Energy for Misleading the Public in Iowa

ELPC and Iowa Environmental Council called on the Iowa Utilities Board to rescind outdated rules that mislead the public about clean energy. Despite MidAmerican's claims of delivering 100% renewable energy, the company operates six coal plants in Iowa. These rules provide legitimacy to such misleading statements, and must be updated to reflect current clean energy goals.

ELPC Advances New Opportunities for Retired Coal Plant Sites in Michigan

Retiring coal plants – once thought of as industrial eyesores – now stand as canvasses for the creation of new greenways, parklands, wildlife habitat, and clean energy development. ELPC’s Powerplants to Parklands initiative is pursuing sustainable opportunities across Michigan.

Clean Water

Illinois Legislative Session Wraps Up Without Wetlands Protection

Since the misguided U.S. Supreme Court Sackett decision diminished federal wetlands protections, it falls to the states to step up. We have been leading a coalition effort to pass wetlands protection in Springfield. We’ve made progress but unfortunately, the legislation stalled this year. We are not giving up and will go back to the legislature to get this important legislation passed.

News Roundup

Utility Dive: Illinois Renewables Plan Encouraging Grid-Enhancing Technologies Could be National Model, Group Says
E&E News: Why EEI is Trying to Kill Biden’s Climate Rule
Chicago Tribune Editorial: Stop This Proposed Tower of Toxic Waste on Chicago’s Lake Michigan Shoreline
ELPC Blog: Holding U.S. Steel Accountable to Clean Air Laws
Energy News Network: Minnesota Advocates Push for Pause on Utility Shutoffs After Study Reveals Racial Disparities
ELPC Blog: Senate Farm Bill: REAP Provision to Power Rural America
Energy News Network: Ohio Ratemaking Reform Bill would Give More Favors to Utilities, Critics Say
Toledo Blade: Great Lakes Water Levels are Now Being Kept in Check by Climate Change ‘Tug-o-War’ – But for How Long?
ELPC Thinks: The Current Rate of Great Lakes Water Levels
Toledo Blade: Environmental Lawyer: Ohio is Overlooking Energy Efficiency
Iowa Public Radio: Report Shows Higher Rates of respiratory Issues, Heart Disease near MidAmerican’s Northwest Iowa Coal Plants
ELPC Blog: Pursuing Equity & Equity Justice in Xcel’s Distribution Planning
WEMU: 1st Friday Focus on the Environment: CAFOs Pose Increasing Danger to Michigan’s Environmental Health
Michigan Public Radio: City of Toledo and Others Sue EPA Over Alleged Failure to Address Harmful Algal Blooms in Lake Erie

ELPC
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Chicago, IL 60601
United States

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