This Month Across the Midwest
August 2024 Newsletter
1) Michigan Supreme Court Decision: Big Win for Clean Water [[link removed]]
Last week, the Michigan Supreme Court issued a 5-2 decision upholding the state environmental agency’s authority to issue permits. This decision will protect Michigan’s waters from pollution by ensuring the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) can set science-based limitations on pollution from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and other industrial polluters. ELPC presented an oral argument and filed a “friend of the court” brief on behalf of a coalition of a dozen Michigan community and environmental groups.
“The state Supreme Court got it right,” said ELPC Managing Attorney Rob Michaels. “EGLE will now be able to focus on drafting effective, science-based permits that protect Michigan’s waters, which are the lifeblood of the state’s identity and economy.
2) UPDATE: Fighting to Stop a Toxic Dredge Dump in SE Chicago [[link removed]]
In July, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul filed a brief opposing the U.S. Army Corps' proposal for a toxic dredge dump on Lake Michigan. And, making lemonade out of lemons, a new SCOTUS decision provides an unexpected legal opening for ELPC’s litigation to stop the dump. ELPC is representing local groups to stop this environmental justice community from being continually treated as the region’s dumping ground.
3) Lake Michigan’s SS Badger Ferry is Going Green [[link removed]]
Over a decade ago, ELPC fought to stop the coal-fired S.S. Badger ferry from dumping a million pounds of coal ash in Lake Michigan each summer. We won that battle, but their air pollution continued. Now this stubborn vestige of the Midwest’s sooty industrial past is finally going green!
4) Coalition Calls for Transit Priority in North DuSable Lake Shore Drive Redesign [[link removed]]
As a decade-long member of the “Redefine the Drive” working group, ELPC has consistently called for improving safety, sustainability, and transit connectivity along the lakefront corridor. Unfortunately, the planners’ final proposal continues the highway status quo, ignoring both advocates and state/aldermanic representatives who call for a design that prioritizes transit and reconnects communities with Lake Michigan.
5) ELPC Thinks Webinar: Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Legislative Caucus [[link removed]]
We had a great discussion with Illinois State Senator Laura Fine and MPP Jennifer French of Ontario about the bipartisan, binational work of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Legislative Caucus in advancing policies to protect and restore the Great Lakes, a global gem.
6) Thank You to ELPC's 2024 Summer Interns! [[link removed]]
Interns play a critical role in the ELPC team, helping to fight the Midwest's most pressing environmental challenges. This year's cohort brought unique skills and experiences, and we look forward to seeing all they will accomplish in the future.
ELPC
35 E Wacker Dr 1600
Chicago, IL 60601
United States
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