|
|
More Illinois Climate Change Strategies
The Governor has already launched a number of strategies for reducing GHG
emissions in order to protect the environment and public health, including:
- In the summer of 2006, Governor Blagojevich announced an Energy Independence
Plan to meet the state’s energy needs by investing in wind power and
cleaner burning renewable fuels that will cut greenhouse gas emissions. The
plan also included a proposed pipeline to help capture carbon dioxide emissions
from new coal gasification plants.
- Recently, the Governor signed into law the Illinois Power Agency Act that
implements elements of his energy plan. For example, the new law requires
Illinois utilities to generate or obtain a certain percentage of their electricity
from renewable energy sources (“Renewable Portfolio Standard”). The
Act also requires utilities to invest more in energy efficiency and demand
response to meet specific energy saving goals.
- In February 2007, the Governor joined California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
and executives from BP to launch the Energy Biosciences Institute to be based
at the University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign and the University of California,
Berkeley. The $500 million effort funded by BP will invest in research
on next-generation homegrown biofuels made from crops that will cut GHG emissions,
boost America’s energy independence and create new markets for Illinois
farmers.
- In January 2007, Illinois adopted rules that the Governor introduced to
dramatically improve air quality and protect public health by slashing mercury,
sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from the three largest coal-fired
power plant companies in Illinois, Midwest Generation, Ameren, and Dynegy. The
agreements include commitments to shut down three of the oldest, least efficient
boiler units, leading to a reduction of 2.1 million tons of CO2 annually.
- Illinois has become only the second state in the nation to join the Chicago
Climate Exchange (CCX). As a CCX member, the state makes a voluntary,
but legally binding, commitment to reduce GHG emissions from state buildings
and vehicle fleets.
- In July 2006, the Governor announced the State of Illinois would begin
powering 141 Springfield-based facilities under his control with clean renewable
wind energy purchased from the Springfield’s municipal utility company,
City Water Light and Power. This is one of the largest wind power purchases
by any state or local government in the U.S.
- The first two utility-scale wind farms in Illinois became operational under
the Blagojevich Administration’s leadership, and fifteen more are proposed.
- Illinois played a pivotal role in the creation of The Climate Registry,
collaboration between 39 states to develop and manage a common greenhouse
gas emissions reporting system. Illinois EPA director Doug Scott is
Vice Chair of The Climate Registry.
- In early 2006, Illinois launched the Illinois Conservation Climate Initiative
(ICCI) in partnership with the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) and the Delta
Institute. ICCI offers farmers and other landowners the opportunity to earn
and sell greenhouse gas emission reduction credits through CCX when they
use conservation tillage and plant grasses and trees. These practices
keep carbon in the soil and plants instead of being released as carbon dioxide. Illinois
is the first state to sponsor such a program. More than 650 landowners
have enrolled 127,000 acres.
- The State has taken numerous steps to reduce GHG emissions from its vehicle
fleet, including reducing the overall number of state vehicles by 11 percent,
from 13,635 in 2003 to 12,100 in 2007; increasing the number of flex fuel
vehicles in the state fleet from 1,339 in 2000 (10 percent of fleet), to
1,944 now (16 percent of fleet); and increasing the use of renewable and
cleaner burning ethanol and biodiesel in the state fleet. More than
1million gallons of biofuels have been consumed by state vehicles since April
2004.
- The Governor has approved incentives and programs that helped make Illinois
the number one consumer of biodiesel in the nation and the state with the
second largest number of retail gasoline stations that offer 85 percent ethanol
fuel (E85). Biodiesel and E85 reduce CO2 emissions compared to diesel
and gasoline.
- In 2006, the Governor signed legislation to limit idling by diesel vehicles
in the state’s air quality nonattainment areas (metropolitan Chicago
and E. St. Louis). This reduces fuel consumption and greenhouse gas
emissions.
- In 2005, the Governor signed into law energy-efficiency commercial building
code standards, which reduce electricity demand and the corresponding GHG
emissions from power plants.
- The Governor introduced open road tolling on the Illinois Toll Highway
System, which reduces congestion, idling, fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions.
- The Governor has recently signed three others pieces of legislation that
will reduce GHG emissions through energy efficiency and renewable energy
generation:
|
|
