► OCTOBER 2022 NEWSLETTER
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ELPC Presents Oral Arguments to Protect the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge
On September 28, ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner presented oral argument before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit. He spoke on behalf of our clients National Wildlife Refuge Association, Defenders of Wildlife, Driftless Area Land Conservancy and Wisconsin Wildlife Federation. We are challenging the proposed unnecessary high-voltage Cardinal-Hickory Creek transmission line, which would cut a wide swath through the scenic Driftless Area landscape, family farms, small town rural communities, and vital natural resources.
On October 13th, Senior Attorney Brad Klein will present oral argument to the Dane County (Wisconsin) Circuit Court on why and how the Wisconsin Public Service Commission failed to follow the law in granting the Transmission Companies approval to build this transmission line.
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 CLEAN ENERGY
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This month, ELPC and coalition partners filed a motion with the Iowa Utilities Board to compel the MidAmerican Energy utility to back its claims that its coal plants are a responsible use of consumers money. Our coalition has studies showing the coal plants are uneconomic, but MidAmerican continues to withhold this fundamental information from the Board and intervening parties. Senior Attorney Josh Mandelbaum said in the Des Moines Register: “MidAmerican withholding these documents takes away critical information and the transparency necessary to ensure that its investments and decisions are reasonable and a good use of consumer and ratepayer dollars.”
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 CLEAN WATER
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On October 3, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the Sackett v. EPA case, in which ELPC filed a “friend of the court” brief. The case poses a serious threat to clean water and wetlands protection in the Midwest and across the country. Read more about what's at stake here.
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 CLEAN TRANSPORATION
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Last week, we heard the excellent news that EPA is nearly doubling the amount of funding that will be awarded for its clean school bus program. This decision was made “given overwhelming demand from school districts across the country including in low-income communities.” Initially this year’s allocation was $500 million, but it will now be $965 million. ELPC has been a leader on this issue across the Midwest since 2017 and we're thrilled with this news.
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 CLIMATE CHANGE
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The Supreme Court's unprincipled judge-made “major questions” doctrine will likely provide another tool for polluters to delay sensible standards. States and Congress will need to step up to protect our environment and public health.
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 ACTION CENTER
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Tell the Department of Transportation to finalize the rule to measure climate pollution.
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WATCH THIS
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GOOD NEWS
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ELPC Awarded Guidestar/Candid 2022 Platinum Seal of Transparency
This award indicates that ELPC shares clear and important information with the public about our goals, strategies, achievements and progress that highlight the difference ELPC makes in the world.
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CONVERSATIONS WE'RE FOLLOWING
- Columbus Dispatch Op-Ed: Toxic Algae Threatening ‘The Gem of Our State.’ ‘Manure Plan’ Desperately Needed
- Cedar Rapids Gazette: Transition to Clean Energy Grid Critical, Requires Commitment, Advocates Say
- ELPC Blog: Federal Legislative Director Ann Mesnikoff - My EV Road Trip Around Lake Michigan
- E&E News: White House Faces Pressure Campaign on Key Air Rule
- The Hill: Climate-Smart Idea: Don’t Cut Down Older Forests
- Circle of Blue: Powerful Industry’s Torrent of Manure Overwhelms State Regulators
- Toledo Blade: Lake Erie Needs ‘60s-era Activism Now, Commissioners Say
- ELPC Blog: Improving Chicago’s Union Station is a Win for the Whole Midwest
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We're all in to protect the Midwest's environment.
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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