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According to the site Tech-stack, AI algorithms can forecast energy needs, helps improve the reliability of solar energy supply and balance the grid load. (Adobe Stock)

IL residents can benefit from merging of solar and AI

By Kari Lydersen for Energy News Network.Broadcast version by Terri Dee for Illinois News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Pu…

In 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ranked Chicago eighth on an annual ENERGY STAR Top Cities list. On average, ENERGY STAR buildings use 35% less energy and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 35% compared to typical buildings. (Adobe Stock)

Innovative construction projects address short-term, long-term IL energy needs

By Audrey Henderson for Energy News Network.Broadcast version by Terri Dee for Illinois News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network…

The USDA says in Illinois in 2021, there were 9.50 billion cubic feet of live trees in forests. (Adobe Stock)

IL environmental group monitors forests amid Biden legislation

The Biden Administration issued an executive order in 2022 to strengthen and protect America's forests and old-growth trees. Old-growth trees have …

Illinois is the nation's fifth-largest electricity producer, and typically sends about one-fifth of the power it generates to other states over interstate transmission lines. Illinois generates more electricity from nuclear energy than any other state.(Adobe Stock)

New study says IL needs new less expensive energy options

A new study warns that Illinois will face future energy shortages and a higher risk of blackouts, unless investments are made soon in cleaner energy…

According to the Chicago Metropolitan Planning Agency, Chicago and Cook County produce the most total emissions. (Adobe Stock)

IL environmentalists hope federal grant lowers emissions

The fight against the effects of climate change in Illinois has more help. Under the Biden Administration's pollution reduction plan, the U.S…

According to the Illinois State Water Survey, extreme rainfall and floods can adversely affect drinking water and wastewater systems, and cause foodborne diseases from sewage and population displacement. (Adobe Stock)

Excessive IL rains stir conversation on preparedness

Illinois generally sees its hottest and wettest months during the summer, and climate change is making them more intense. The University of …

Multiple carbon capture projects have been proposed in recent years in Illinois. (Wolfgang Weiser/Adobe Stock)

Illinois creates guardrails for growing carbon capture industry

Illinois Gov. J. B. Pritzker has signed a bill to regulate new carbon capture, storage and pipeline projects. The technology involves capturing …

According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the smallest bird that resides in the state, at 3 to 3 1/4 inches in length, is the ruby-throated hummingbird. The largest wild bird is the trumpeter swan, with a 7-foot wingspan. (Adobe Stock)

Study finds IL birds feel the effects of climate change

A new study by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign suggests the long-term effects of climate change could create a higher risk of extinction f…

IL residents urged to prepare now for coming heat waves

A new report supports data on the effects of global climate change, finding that, within a one-year span starting in May 2023, the cause of frequent …

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

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…

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 Department of Agriculture says the state's farmland covers 27 million acres, or about 75% of Illinois' total land area. (Adobe Stock)

IL farm group wants improved safety measures for pipelines

A pipeline project to transport carbon dioxide captured from ethanol and fertilizer production to a permanent storage site in Illinois is raising conc…

The Illinois Department of Health says health conditions caused by climate change are worsened due to poverty, lack of access to health care, unemployment and isolation. (Adobe Stock)

Older Illinoisans have a resource to address climate change

The country is feeling the chill of winter now, but 2023 will be in the history books as the hottest year on record. And worries are growing about …

Between August 2022 and July 2023, more than $270 billion in capital investment was announced for utility-scale clean=energy projects and manufacturing facilities in the United States, according to American Clean Power. (Adobe Stock)

IRA investments crucial for clean energy, national security

Military veterans and lawmakers say investing in the clean-energy economy with Inflation Reduction Act funds is the way forward to combat climate chan…

The group GreenLatinos is matching federal climate change grants with Latino environmental justice organizations, businesses, universities, unions, and elected officials. (Adobe Stock)

Environmental coalition to match Latino community groups with federal grants

The Biden Administration has earmarked millions of dollars from federal programs to help Latinos and other disadvantaged groups fight climate change…

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 nonprofit newsgathering organization Climate Central recently analyzed Halloween warming trends in 244 U.S. cities. Around 89% have seen October nights warm up since 1970. (AI/Adobe Stock)

Climate change takes fall chill out of air for Halloween trick-or-treaters

As Halloween approaches, cooler temperatures will spread over Illinois. But weather experts say climate change is making October nights across the …

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 …

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…

A new study shows that, by upgrading appliances and adding insulation, the energy costs for homes like these in Chicago's Logan Run neighborhood decrease by more than $1,000 a year. (Adobe Stock)

Study: Chicago Homes' Energy Upgrades Cut Power Bills – and Pollution

A new study finds projected energy upgrades on a sampling of homes across the Chicago area produced significant savings in energy costs, as well as …

Storage batteries hidden behind this Bronzeville mural will be part of a microgrid system that will render the entire Chicago neighborhood energy-independent. (ComEd)

Chicago's Bronzeville Neighborhood Gets Its Own Power Microgrid

By Francesca Mathewes for Reasons to be Cheerful.Broadcast version by Mark Richardson for Illinois News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journal…

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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…

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 …

The oil and gas industry emits more than 3 million metric tons of methane pollution annually. (AdobeStock)

IL Tries to Force EPA's Hand on Methane Standards

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Illinois is joining more than a dozen other states in trying to force the Environmental Protection Agency's hand on methane …

House Democrats say meaningful, intensive action is needed now to address climate change. (AdobeStock)

Ambitious New Plan: Net-Zero Emissions by 2050

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Some congressional Democrats have released a blueprint for how the country can hit net-zero emissions by 2050. The House Select …

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 …

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 …

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 …

The city of Chicago is spending more than $1 billion to upgrade sewer systems to prevent overflows during heavy rain events. (Roman Boed/Flickr)

Report: Climate Change to Cause Floods, Economic Losses in Great Lakes

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Bigger, more frequent storms. More floods. Many millions in financial losses. Massive environmental shifts. Climate change …

Illinois is among 17 states asking the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C. to rule on the current legal challenges to the Clean Power Plan. (Pixabay)

Will ACE Put the Brakes on IL Clean Energy Development?

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Illinoisans can now comment on the Trump administration's proposal to replace the Clean Power Plan, an Obama-era rule …

Airborne ethylene oxide pollution is the reason federal officials are recommending the Illinois Department of Public Health investigate cancer risks in and around the Village of Willowbrook. (Pixabay)

Illinois Community Searches for Answers Following Cancer Risk Report

WILLOWBROOK, Ill. – People in the Chicago suburb of Willowbrook are on edge after a federal report showing that the area faces some of the …

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IL: Climate Change