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New research predicts warmer, wetter weather in the Quad Cities resulting from climate change. Researchers asked residents about their main concerns. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Quad Cities residents weigh in on climate change research

A new report from the National Wildlife Federation warned the effects of climate change in the Quad Cities will be severe but researchers got the publ…

Enbridge owns and operates Line 5, a controversial oil pipeline that crosses tribal lands and runs under a portion of the Great Lakes. (Adobe Stock)

Midwest Tribes to take Line 5 concerns to United Nations forum

Next week, Native American leaders from the Midwest will go before a United Nations panel with their concerns over a controversial oil pipeline they …

The Environmental Protection Agency said wetlands' sponge-like ability to absorb water slows the momentum of floodwaters or a coastal storm surge. (Adobe Stock)

Action to save remaining Illinois wetlands gains steam

The Supreme Court's decision in 2023 to roll back the Clean Water Act has meant less federal oversight in protecting the country's wetlands. …

With a grant award from the Illinois Power Association, the Green Energy Justice Cooperative plans to build community-level solar power projects to cut costs and give low-income and BIPOC neighborhoods a financial stake in the program. (Wikimedia Commons)

IL co-op to develop solar projects for low-income, BIPOC communities

By Lydia Larsen for Inside Climate News.Broadcast version by Mark Richardson for Illinois News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Netwo…

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency 2020-2022 report indicates 85% of the state's streams are

IL environmental network creates plan for cleaner waterways

Illinois rivers, lakes and groundwater have become unsafe for humans and wildlife. One organization has started the New Year with a "Clean Water …

According to the website 'Illinois.gov,' the state has around 29,000 school buses operating as part of public school districts. (Adobe Stock)

Yellow school bus: From energy consumer to energy asset

What started as a school project for students in one Illinois district has led to the successful changeover to more energy efficient school buses…

A great egret forages for fish in a shallow pond in Marion County, Ill. (Adobe Stock)

IL wetlands at risk in backlash from spring SCOTUS ruling

States like Illinois are dealing with the fallout of a Supreme Court decision made earlier this year. In May, the U.S. Supreme Court effectively …

Farmers in Illinois and across the country are concerned over whether Congress will complete its work on a new Farm Bill by the end of the current term. (Adobe Stock)

Farm Bill delays could affect food benefits for many Americans

The once-every-five-year Farm Bill will likely be extended to six years this time around, as Congress seems months away from finding a path forward…

The solar power market in Illinois is valued at $3.7 billion and growing, with a total capital investment in wind, solar, and energy storage projects exceeding $17 billion. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Illinois leads Midwest in building 'clean power' capacity

A new report ranks Illinois first among 11 Midwestern states for the amount of clean power capacity under construction, and second for new clean …

U.S. House Budget Threats Jeopardize Proposed PFAS Regulations

Environmental groups say a proposal to cut $4 billion from the Environmental Protection Agency budget would gut the regulations designed to clean up t…

Illinois Environmental Group Seeks Ban on Pesticides Harmful to Bees

An Illinois group reported toxic pesticides are causing irreversible damage to young, developing bees, putting the bee population in decline and food …

The solar power sector added more than 12,000 workers in 2022. (Adobe Stock)

Report Shows Clean-Energy Job Gains in Illinois

A new look at clean-energy jobs in the U.S. shows growth in Illinois and the prospect of greater gains in the future. The Department of Energy …

A wetland and marsh area at Chain O' Lakes State Park. Illinois' Interagency Wetland Policy Act of 1989 set a goal of no net loss of wetlands due to projects funded by the state. (GoodFreePhotos.com)

SCOTUS Lands Gut Punch to EPA Wetland Protections

A U.S. Supreme Court decision is shaking up the environmental community in Illinois and across the country. The high court ruled 5-4 on Thursday …

Illinois is the third-largest consumer of coal in the country, using more than 39 million tons a year to generate electricity. (Wikimedia Commons)

Proposed EPA Rule Limits Toxic Emissions from Coal Plants

The Environmental Protection Agency is tightening rules to limit emissions of mercury and other harmful pollutants from coal-fired power plants…

There have been more than 700 toxic chemical disasters in the United States since 2020, according to the Coalition to Prevent Chemical Disasters. (Adobe Stock)

Groups: EPA, Others Need to Step Up Oversight of Chemical Plants

Environmental groups in Illinois are pushing state and federal officials to tighten regulations on businesses that use toxic substances after a fire a…

About 6% of all cars sold in the United States in 2022 were battery-electric powered, but officials say the number of EVs is expected to grow to 25% by 2030. (ake1150/Adobe Stock)

Report: EVs Could Impact Future Highway-Maintenance Funding

Most experts agree that putting more electric vehicles on the road is a positive step toward fighting climate change, but a new report warns that …

In 2022, the top 10 states, plus the District of Columbia, certified 1,202 LEED projects and nearly 343 million gross square feet, a 72% increase in just one year. (Tada Images/Adobe Stock)

Illinois Places 2nd for Green Building Program

The 2022 ranking of "green" buildings shows Illinois in 2nd place, demonstrating a commitment to LEED certification, according to the U.S. Green …

Climate driven-drought has left only driftwood and sand in the channel where the Mississippi and Missouri rivers converge. (Rob Shepard-Danita Delmont/Adobe Stock)

Illinois Groups Urge New Approach to Managing Mississippi River

Drought has devastated the Mississippi River, turning parts of the 2,350-mile channel into dry streambeds and shallow pools. As barge traffic in …

Analysts predict Illinois families could pay between 44% to 59% more for natural gas to heat their homes this winter. (zimmytws/Adobe Stock)

Winter Forecast: Illinois Families Prep for High Winter Gas Bills

Forecasters are predicting another season of cold, wet weather for Illinois and the upper Midwest this winter, which could bring some high energy …

Invasive species often disrupt native fish populations by competing for food and habitat or through predation. (Adobe Stock)

Illinois Project Aims to Keep Invasive Carp Out of Great Lakes

The threat of invasive species to America's lakes and rivers has increased in recent years, but one Illinois project is attempting to protect the …

Study authors found that 80-90% of Americans underestimate the support for major climate change mitigation policies. (Adobe Stock)

Study: Perception Versus Reality about Climate-Change Distress

The political divide over climate change seems well entrenched, but a recent study suggested the conventional wisdom is wrong. The study, published …

Concerning levels of PFAS have been discovered in the environment, water and wildlife of the Great Lakes region. (Adobe Stock)

EPA Advances Efforts on Dangerous 'Forever Chemicals'

The federal government is taking new steps to protect people in Illinois and other states from "forever chemicals." PFOA and PFOS are two types of pe…

The Bulldog Mine's permit was only valid for three years. Failure to break ground on the project in that time frame resulted in the permit being rescinded. (Adobe Stock)

IL Environmental Groups Celebrate Defeat of Bulldog Mine

Environmental groups are celebrating the scrapping of plans for the proposed Bulldog Mine in eastern Illinois. Indiana-based Sunrise Coal was issued …

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most U.S. citizens have at least some PFAS in their bloodstreams. (Adobe Stock)

New IL Law Seeks to Limit PFAS-Based Air Pollution

Illinois has enacted a new law to prohibit the incineration of some PFAS-based substances. The man-made chemical compounds are most commonly …

The Environmental Protection Agency reports the transportation sector is the largest single contributor to America's annual greenhouse-gas emissions, comprising 27% of the total. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Diesel Engines Major Air Polluters in Illinois

Pollution from diesel engines can cause a variety of health issues, and a new report reveals some Illinois communities face higher risks from diesel …

Many of Illinois' soil and water conservation priorities are laid out in the Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy, which was released in 2015. (Adobe Stock)

IL Advocates Push for Greater Awareness of Soil Health

Illinois environmental advocates are pushing lawmakers in Springfield to recognize the importance of soil health. The General Assembly is …

According to the White House, up to 10 million American households are serviced by lead water pipelines. (Adobe Stock)

New Federal Aid Could Boost IL Lead Pipeline Removal Efforts

Illinois has more lead pipelines than any other state in the nation, but a new plan from the Biden-Harris administration could boost the state's lead-…

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, more than 15,000 water bodies across the country have nutrient-related environmental problems. (Adobe Stock)

IL Bill Could Impact Waters as Distant as Gulf of Mexico

Illinois lawmakers are considering a bill proponents say could benefit water quality not only locally, but in places as far-flung as the Gulf of …

According to the Izaak Walton League of America, 80% of streams across the United States are not adequately monitored for pollution. (kurgu128/Adobe Stock)

"Citizen Science" Leads Group to Conservation Achievements

One hundred years ago today, the Izaak Walton League of America was founded in Chicago, with a mission of local stewardship of wild places, citizen …

Illinoisans who fought for the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act are urging the federal government to follow the Prairie State's lead. (ink drop/Adobe Stock)

IL Leaders Urge Major Climate Investments During COP26

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- As talks continue in Scotland at the annual international climate summit, Illinoisans are among those urging the U.S. to follow …

The U.S. Senate already passed a bipartisan physical infrastructure bill, but some U.S. House lawmakers say it needs to go hand-in-hand with the larger budget reconciliation bill. (sdecoret/Adobe Stock)

Calls from Sustainable Businesses to Take Bold Action on Climate Change

CHICAGO -- More than 300 companies from Illinois and across the U.S. have signed a letter, urging Congress to curb climate change by modernizing the …

Dulce Ortiz of Clean Power Lake County was among those who spoke at the signing of landmark clean-energy legislation in Illinois. (Office of Gov. J.B. Pritzker)

Landmark Climate, Jobs Law Hailed in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- The historic clean-energy bill signed into Illinois law yesterday includes measures from closing coal and natural gas plants by 2…

Activists last week sent Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau some clean Great Lakes water as a symbolic reminder of their shared responsibility to safeguard the Great Lakes. (AndriiKoval/Adobe Stock)

Chicagoans Call for Canada to Support Closing Line 5

CHICAGO -- Groups concerned about water quality and the environment are asking Canadian as well as U.S. officials to back efforts to close the Line 5 …

Illinois is responsible for 20% of the nitrates that have caused a dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico, and thousands of rural water wells across the state have high levels of nitrates. (bmargaret/Adobe Stock)

Report: More Data Needed on Nitrates in Rural IL Wells

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - A new report finds that thousands of drinking-water wells in Illinois are contaminated with high levels of nitrates. Clean-water …

A new report from Advanced Energy Economy finds that Illinois clean-energy jobs are expected to grow 7% in 2021. (I Viewfinder/Adobe Stock)

Report: Transportation Electrification Would Benefit IL Economy, Job Market

CHICAGO -- A new report showed the economy of Illinois could see major benefits from the Biden administration's proposed $274 billion investment to el…

Groups say the Illinois Clean Energy Jobs Act would expand access to solar power. (anatoliy_gleb/Adobe Stock)

IL Lawmakers to Vote on Clean-Energy Jobs Act in Special Session

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Lawmakers are returning to Springfield for a special session this week for a vote on the Clean Energy Jobs Act, aimed at …

Illinois has a goal of reducing the nitrogen and phosphorus going into its waterways by 45% by 2025. But conservation groups say the state is far behind in reaching that goal, and needs more funding for these efforts. (Adobe Stock)

Protecting Mississippi River Key Focus of IL Fund

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - A bipartisan effort to extend a conservation fund in Illinois continues ahead of next week's budget deadline. Supporters in the …

The Illinois Clean Energy Jobs Act would aim to electrify 1.2 million vehicles by 2030.(millenius/Adobe Stock)

Groups Say IL Clean-Energy Jobs Act Complements Biden Climate Agenda

CHICAGO -- After last week's global climate summit, environmental groups in Illinois are pushing for legislation to continue moving the needle and …

Trees reduce the energy consumption for cooling homes in the United States by 7%, according to estimates from the U.S. Forest Service. (Donovan Cole/Trees Forever)

IL Nonprofits Aim to Make Access to City Trees More Equitable

By Breanna Draxler for Yes! Media. Broadcast version by Lily Bohlke for Illinois News Connection reporting for the YES! Media-Public News Service …

Illinois farmers are experiencing rainier springs and drier summers because of the changing climate. (EJRodriquez/Adobe Stock)

Agriculture Steps Up to Meet Climate Change

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- With farms and ranches on the front lines of climate change, organizations have come together to launch the Food and Agriculture …

The 17 states spanning the central U.S. account for about 80% of the nation's current and planned wind energy capacity. (AdobeStock)

Map: Illinois Prime for Wind Development Done Right

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- There's encouraging news about Illinois' potential for wind energy development in a new analysis. The 17 states spanning the …

Landowners in southern Illinois continue to struggle with flooding after a 2016 breech in the Len Small Levee. (IDNR)

Easements Offer New Life for Flood-Soaked Illinois Land

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- A new partnership could help breathe new life into Illinois lands that have been plagued by multi-year floods. At the southern …

The federal Mercury and Air Toxics Standards have reduced mercury emissions from power plants by about 86% since 2010. (Adobe Stock)

Will EPA's Mercury Rule Change Spur Attacks on Other Clean Air Protections?

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Even as the country battles a respiratory pandemic, the Environmental Protection Agency has moved to weaken an air pollution …

Stunted or curled leaves on trees are a sign of herbicide damage. (Prairie Rivers Network/Flickr)

Groups say Herbicide Threatens Keystone Tree Species in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — It was just a few years ago that the approved use of a powerful herbicide was expanded to soybeans. Now environmental …

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker joined 23 other governors in July calling on the Trump administration to preserve states' authority to set their own clean-car standards. (David Wilson/Flickr)

Air Quality at Risk Over Trump's Tailpipe Emission Change, Opponents Say

DEKALB, Ill. – The Environmental Protection Agency says it will revoke California's authority to set higher standards for tailpipe emissions …

A new lawsuit claims the repeal of the Clean Power Plan violates the Clean Air Act. (Adobe Stock)

Legal Challengers Call Trump Clean-Power Rule a "Fail"

CHICAGO – Illinois is among nearly two dozen states fighting a new Trump administration rule, saying it won't be effective at cleaning up …

Conservation groups say Ohio River water-quality standards are especially important for downstream communities such as Cairo, Illinois. (Ken Lund/Flickr)

Gov. Pritzker Urged to Protect Ohio River Quality

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Conservation groups are asking Gov. J.B. Pritzker to speak out this week against a proposal that could weaken clean-water …

Activists gathered in Chicago to speak out against a bill they say intends to silence protestors of oil and gas infrastructure. (The People's Lobby)

Opponents Speak Out Against Illinois "Anti-Protest" Bill

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A bill that would increase penalties for damage to critical infrastructure is making its way through the Illinois …

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IL: Environment