Environmental Updates from Around the Midwest

January 2021 E-News
Advancing democracy, decency, and environmental progress in 2021 ([link removed])
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Last week’s attack on the U.S. Capitol, ([link removed]) was an attack on our nation’s democracy. The voters spoke in a free and fair election and we look forward to working with President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’ new administration. The Midwest/Great Lakes states are critical to providing climate change solutions and innovation. After four years of environmental rollbacks, we are ready to put the “protection” back into the Environmental Protection Agency. Read our year-end memo here ([link removed]) , our review of 2020 federal fights here ([link removed]) .
More than 110 companies power Iowa’s clean energy supply chain ([link removed])
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ELPC’s new Iowa Clean Energy Business Supply Chain report identifies 85 companies engaged in the solar energy industry and 53 in wind, with several overlapping roles in the interconnected green economy. Smart energy policies and local leaders are making Iowa a hub in the growing clean energy economy. These businesses can be found in all 4 congressional districts in Iowa, and in 56 of the 100 State House Districts, from Decorah to Des Moines, Sioux City to Iowa City.

With over 40% of the state’s energy supply coming from wind power, Iowa is a clean energy leader, but we can do even better and enjoy even more jobs and businesses. A robust and stable policy framework will accelerate solar power, energy storage, and wind power resources. Read more in the Des Moines Register ([link removed]) and ELPC Senior Policy Analyst Steve Falck’s op-ed ([link removed]) .
ELPC commends Great Lakes funding reauthorization & increase ([link removed])
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Since the bipartisan Great Lakes Restoration Initiative was launched in 2010, it has provided essential funding to protect and restore the largest system of surface freshwater in the world. ELPC has been a critical voice in the introduction, reauthorization, and increase of these funds. As reported in Wisconsin Public Radio ([link removed]) , these funds will be essential moving forward as climate change threatens Great Lakes communities and ecosystems.

“We’re seeing much more extreme weather events leading to water levels – mostly much higher, occasionally lower,” said Executive Director Howard Learner. “We need to do a lot of work in terms of climate resilience and protecting our shoreline infrastructure.”
EPA’s censoring science rule benefits polluters and endangers public health ([link removed])

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In its last days, the Trump administration’s Environmental Protection Agency finalized a rule that would allow political appointees to disregard vital public health studies in setting policies. “The Trump EPA is once again distorting and ignoring sound science,” said ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner, “EPA and the federal government should be making decisions based on the best available information to protect healthy clean air and safe clean drinking water.”

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Join us on January 13 for a virtual meeting with Rep. Kathy Castor ([link removed]) , Chair of the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. During the virtual meeting, we will discuss upcoming opportunities to tackle the climate crisis with a new Congress and a new administration in 2021 and the Select Committee’s agenda for 2021.

ELPC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Book Release – High Tension: FDR’s Battle to Power America ([link removed])
New history book by Jack Riggs explores major electricity policy initiatives of the New Deal, and conversations we continue to battle today over infrastructure and leadership in times of crisis.

Website Relaunch – Revamped ELPC.org ([link removed])
Please take a look at our new and improved elpc.org! Our refreshed website allows us to highlight all the impact that ELPC is making across our issue areas and the region.
ELPC NEWS CENTER
ELPC Blog: Facing the Public Transit Funding Cliff ([link removed])
Midwest Energy news: In Chicago, ‘Charging Deserts’ Part of Racial Divide on EVs ([link removed])
WVIK: Lawsuit Alleges Farmworkers Sickened After Pesticide Exposure ([link removed])
Associated Press: Governor was Warned of Would-Be Regulator’s Ties to Utility ([link removed])
PV Tech: Victory for Illinois Campaigners After ‘Unlawful’ Net Metering Policy Rejected ([link removed])
WXPR: Over Formal Objections, National Forest Approves Logging Project Near Eagle River ([link removed])

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