August 2020 E-News
Over the last two weeks, ELPC attorneys spent a combined 12 hours in oral arguments via zoom before U.S. District Court Judge James Carr on the landmark litigation to clean up western Lake Erie. Voluntary measures alone have not worked; it is time for action. "The state agency [Ohio EPA] has not laid out a timetable or offered any specifics [for a cleanup plan],” said Senior Attorney Rob Michaels. “The lawsuit targets the federal EPA for not stepping in and requiring them to do that. We have a history of recalcitrance and noncompliance here from both agencies. This is not going to happen on its own.” Learn more about ELPC’s work to uncover how CAFOs and manure runoff contribute to toxic algae in this video or find further media coverage of Lake Erie here and here.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) made two important, but vastly different rulings on the future of renewable energy. In a major win for distributed energy, FERC rightly and unanimously rejected an attack on net metering, instead deciding to maintain state standards over how small-scale solar energy is compensated. ELPC was an important leader in this campaign, galvanizing bipartisan support from across the region. Unfortunately, this win was coupled with a misguided vote to gut the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA), which provides federal standards for renewable energy when net metering does not apply. Regardless, ELPC will continue to advance affordable renewable energy across the Midwest. For a breakdown of what these two decisions mean, read ELPC Staff Attorney Jeffrey Hammons’ blog here.
In another sordid tale of Midwestern corruption, Illinois’ utility Commonwealth Edison agreed to pay a fine of $200 million after providing jobs and favors to people associated with the Illinois House Speaker Madigan. Clearly there is cause for concern with how energy policy is created in Illinois. "When companies like ComEd and FirstEnergy have billions of dollars at stake, spending tens of millions of dollars on campaign contributions, bribes, and other activities is sort of a down payment, and that's unacceptable," said Howard Learner, ELPC Executive Director. ELPC will continue to advocate for an energy policy based on what is best for the consumers and the long-term environmental health of the state.

Last year’s Ohio House Bill 6 was controversial from the start. It gutted the state’s renewable energy and energy efficiency standards, while giving a bailout to nuclear and coal plants. This year it’s only gotten worse, as State House Speaker Householder and four associates were recently arrested over corruption allegations related to HB6. As lawmakers explore options to root out corruption in the state’s energy future, ELPC will continue to advocate for affordable and renewable energy. Find media coverage here, here, and here.

ELPC’s sister organization, ELPC Action Fund, expanded its summer ad campaign to educate the public on the Trump EPA’s record on clean water. Print ads in Wisconsin and Iowa have started appearing in newspapers across Southwest Wisconsin and Dubuque, Iowa. In Michigan, a 30 second TV ad will air on broadcast, cable, streaming, and digital platforms throughout western Michigan from St. Joseph to Traverse City.  This campaign follows the theme of “watch what they do, not what they say.” The Trump administration claims to have a good record on protecting clean water, but ELPC Action Fund connects the dots to show that is not the case. Find out how.
ELPC NEWS CENTER
Wisconsin State Journal - Former Wisconsin regulator sought job as utility CEO months after voting to approve its projects
Block Club Chicago – General Iron Seeks City Approval To Reopen As Activists Urge Shutdown To Continue Through COVID-19 Pandemic
The Cap Times – Jean Luecke Transmission line project would desecrate Driftless Area
Energy News Network - Wheeler Dismisses Study Claiming EPA Role in Elevated Air Pollution, COVID-19 Cases
One Illinois - Climate change in the heartland: Rep Bustos urges rural broadband, improved river transportation, insists farmers play key role
WTTW – Does Mayor Lightfoot’s Air Quality Plan Go Far Enough?
E&E News – ‘America is still segregated, and so is pollution’
Energy News Network – After unexpected compromise in Iowa, net metering fight moves to dockets
UPCOMING EVENTS

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ELPC 2020 GALA
Thursday, September 10


 
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