House Leaders Propose Increased Funding for the Great Lakes

Good news out of the U.S. House of Representatives Great Lakes Task Force. The bipartisan co-chairs asked President Joe Biden to request $425 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) for the fiscal year 2024. This would boost the $348 million for GLRI in the fiscal year 2022, to fund more restoration and conservation projects for even more communities and ecosystems throughout the Great Lakes region.

GLRI funds have been deployed to protect safe clean drinking water, clean up toxic sites, protect wetlands and shorelines, hold off invasive species, and safeguard aquatic resources. A University of Michigan study showed that every federal dollar invested in GLRI produced an additional $3.35 in economic activity in the region. ELPC has been engaged with GLRI since 2008, and we will continue to work with policymakers and colleagues to implement and expand this effective program.

News and Updates

CLEAN ENERGY

MidAmerican Order to Uncover Planning Studies in Iowa

The Iowa Utilities Board issued an order in MidAmerican Energy’s Wind PRIME proceeding to make public two electric generation planning studies that MidAmerican has aggressively and repeatedly sought to keep secret from regulators and the public. The studies include an evaluation of the economics of MidAmerican’s coal plants and a study of pathways to achieve zero carbon emissions electricity.

Pursuing Energy Justice in Minnesota’s Xcel Rate Case

ELPC filed our initial brief on behalf of the Just Solar Coalition. The brief critiques Xcel’s proposed $677 million rate hike through an “Energy Justice” lens – that is, whether Xcel’s proposed investments in its electric grid will result in more or less equitable service for Xcel’s customers, including low-income and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities.

Rate Case Decision is Bad for Ohioan's Gas Bills

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approved Columbia Gas’s rate increase, which is bad for consumers and bad for the environment. It will hike the fixed customer charge to $58 a month and cancel energy efficiency programs for 1.4 million natural gas customers in Ohio. This decision particularly hurts low-income customers who typically use less gas.

CLEAN WATER

Winter Manure Spreading is Bad for Midwest Water

Each winter, millions of gallons of manure and other waste from large-scale animal farms are spread on frozen or snow-covered land across the Midwest. This practice, known as winter spreading, is uniquely dangerous to water quality; in many cases, it is also illegal.

UPCOMING WEBINAR

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Celebrate ELPC's 30th Anniversary

For thirty years, the ELPC has served as the Midwest’s leading environmental legal advocacy organization. But we couldn’t have done it without you! Thank you for your support over the years and for investing in the Midwest’s bright future.

Join us in celebration at our anniversary gala on June 9^th, 2023 at Navy Pier, Chicago.

ACTION ALERT

Take Action in the Climate Crisis: Tell the EPA to #CutMethane

Cutting methane pollution from the oil and gas industry is a fast and cost-effective way to mitigate climate change and protect public health. Submit a public comment and urge the Biden administration & EPA to enact the strongest possible protections against methane pollution before the February 13 deadline!

NEWS ROUNDUP

Toledo Blade: Ohio EPA Documents Puts 2023 Focus on Improving Lake Erie
ELPC Press Release: ELPC Welcomes Stronger EPA Soot Guidelines Proposal, Still Room for Improvement
Inside Climate News: The EPA is Helping School Districts Purchase Clean-Energy School Buses, but Some Districts Have Been Blocked from Participating
WBEZ: ELPC Senior Policy Advocate Susan Mudd Discussing Soot Standards
WFYI: Gary Advocates Ask Judge to Revoke Waste-to-Jet-Fuel Plant’s Permit
Chicago Crusader: GARD Files Reports Detailing Shortcomings of Fulcrum Process with the Court
ABC News: Thousands of Cleaner, Quieter Electric School Buses to Roll Out Soon in Districts Nationwide
MiBiz: Power Plants to Parklands: Initiative Explores Public Access, Clean Energy at Former Michigan Coal Plants
Chicago Tribune: ComEd seeks four-year, $1.47 billion rate increase to bolster the grid for EVs, electrification and climate change
ELPC Blog: ELPC to EPA: Tighten Methane Rules for Oil and Gas Industry
Streetsblog Chicago: Ride Illinois and ATA Launch Campaign for a Statewide E-Bike Incentive Program
UIC Today: Obituary: George Crabtree

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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