Renewed Calls For Moratorium on Fracking In Illinois

Today, a coalition of groups supporting a moratorium on fracking in Illinois descended on the state capitol. HB 3086 and SB 1418 would both establish a two-year moratorium on the controversial practice of high-volume hydraulic fracturing.

High-volume horizontal fracturing (fracking) is devastating to our communities, land, water and contributes to the continued destabilization of our climate.   Sierra Club stands with those who are calling on Springfield to enact a moratorium on fracking in Illinois, and we urge legislators to support HB3086 and SB1418.

Sierra Club opposes fracking in Illinois, and wants to stop this destructive practice before it starts. We continue to stand with our friends and allies that support a moratorium and urge state legislators to support HB 3086 and SB 1418. A moratorium affords us the opportunity to prioritize protecting public health and the environment while we look more closely at the damaging risks posed by yet another extractive industry in our state.

Because fracking, sadly, is legal in our state today, a moratorium is the safest and best approach for dealing with this threat.   Strong regulatory measures are also important to protect the environment and public health, but new regulations will not make fracking safe.   We do need to update our pre-World War II era oil and gas regulations, but our support for additional protections does not mean we have confidence that fracking can be done safely or without pollution. We believe that the safest option for Illinois is to adopt a moratorium so that we can study the risks of fracking in an open and transparent way.

There is a better way to develop energy for Illinois. Rather than our continued reliance on fossil fuels, we should continue to build our clean energy economy. Illinois’ clean energy economy has created 20,000 jobs, saved consumers $177 million and cut climate changing pollution by more than 5 million tons. Illinois should embrace the opportunities of a clean energy future and pass on the extractive fossil fuels of the past.

 

Gov. Quinn Signs New Law Promoting Cleaner Water and Better Farming Practices

Collaboration between farming groups and environmental organizations

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed legislation Tuesday enacting new programs to help Illinois farmers reduce waste of fertilizer and resulting water pollution.   Governor Quinn signed House Bill 5539 on Agriculture Day at the Illinois State Fair.

“Nutrient pollution is Illinois’ most widespread water pollution problem, but helping farmers use fertilizers more effectively will bring cleaner water to rivers, lakes, and streams across Illinois,” said Jack Darin, Director of the Sierra Club, Illinois Chapter.

Farmers apply nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen to maximize crop yields.   When more nutrients are applied than crops can take up, extra nutrients often wash into rivers and streams in the rain.   The excess nutrients fertilize algae in waterways, which leads to explosions in algae populations.   These algae populations create foul-smelling, pea green water, and suck oxygen out of the water that fish need to breathe, often leading to fish kills.

The new law will create the Nutrient Research and Education Council (NREC) to provide scientific expertise and new funds to help farmers use fertilizers most effectively, minimizing the amount that runs off into Illinois waters.  A new fee on commercial fertilizers will fund research and a grant program to help farmers deploy best practices for reducing fertilizer runoff.

“An active Nutrient Research and Education Council will be a real asset to Illinois’ overall efforts to clean up nutrient pollution,” said Dr. Cynthia Skrukrud, Clean Water Advocate for the Sierra Club, Illinois Chapter, who will serve as a member of the new Council.  “Efforts like these to help farmers implement solutions are and important part of an overall strategy that includes steps to also reduce nutrient pollution from all major sources, including sewage treatment plants, urban runoff, and agriculture.”

The new legislation is a product of a unique collaboration between Sierra Club, other clean water advocates, and agricultural organizations.   These groups are often at odds over how to reduce nutrient pollution, but worked together to create these new programs.  Now farmers will have access to the most up-to-date knowledge on fertilizer application, increasing crop yield, and preventing nutrient leaching.  Less water pollution means safer water for drinking, fishing, swimming, and aquatic wildlife.

“These new tools will help farmers make smart decisions about fertilizer application, and that will reduce pollution in our waterways,“ said Jack Darin, director of the Illinois Chapter of the Sierra Club.   “We know farmers want to be part of the solution to water quality problems, and now they’ll have access to resources and technical expertise to do so.”

CONTACT: Jack Darin, (312) 251-1680×112

Emanuel Shoots Down Gun Range Near Eagles’ Nests

Statement of Christine Williamson
Chair, Sierra Club, Chicago Group

“Sierra Club is thrilled and gratified by Mayor Emanuel’s decision to withdraw support for locating a new police firing range too near important and sensitive wetland habitat in the Lake Calumet region.

Mayor Emanuel’s decision will allow a variety of bird species, including nesting bald eagles, to flourish in this vital habitat right here in the City of Chicago. These wetlands are part of the proposed Millennium Reserve, which will allow visitors to experience their natural beauty. Now visitors to the Reserve and residents of nearby neighborhoods will be able to have a true urban wildlife experience, rather than hearing gunfire.”

LaSalle County Board Approves Starved Rock Sand Pit

January 12, 2012 – The LaSalle County Board today approved an application for a massive open pit sand mine next to Starved Rock State Park, despite objections from local residents and a growing outcry from citizens across the state who had urged the County to protect Starved Rock, prime farmland, and local residents from the impacts of the project.

“We’re very disappointed that LaSalle County has put Starved Rock at risk.  There are many places to mine sand, but there is only one Starved Rock,” said Jack Darin, Director of the Sierra Club, Illinois Chapter.

The mine site includes a state-recognized natural area, and would be adjacent to Starved Rock State Park.  The mine would pump millions of gallons of water per day for its operations, and those withdrawals threaten springs and marshlands within the Park.   In addition, water pollution from mine operations could drain through the Park, its ravines, and canyons, which are an important outdoor recreation asset for Illinois. Over two million people each year visit the state park, which recently celebrated the 100th anniversary of its protection.

Despite strong opposition from local residents and thousands of comments against the mine from around Illinois, the County Board appeared to give minimal consideration to concerns about the project.

“I am saddened and angered that the LaSalle County Board failed to recognize that Starved Rock is an important economic engine for the area. Instead they have jeopardized existing tourism jobs for a few new ones that promise to pollute our air and water while degrading the experience for all Starved Rock visitors,” said Tracy Fox, a Sierra Club member who attended today’s county board meeting.

In the wake of LaSalle County’s approval, the project now must be approved by state agencies that will examine the mine’s impacts on water quality, archeological resources, natural areas, and the state park.

“The fight to protect Starved Rock from this open pit mine is far from over,” said Darin.   “Starved Rock is one of Illinois’ most special places, and citizens across the state are rallying to protect it.”

Hundreds of Moms, Doctors, Concerned Midwest Residents Gather to Demand Protection from Toxic Mercury at EPA Hearing

Chicago hosts one of only three public hearings nationally on proposed federal standards for toxic air pollution from power plants

Chicago, IL – Today, hundreds of mothers, medical professionals, community leaders, fishermen, and concerned citizens gathered in downtown Chicago for a public hearing with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), on proposed federal standards for life-threatening air pollution from power plants. The EPA’s “Mercury and Air Toxics” standards would protect Americans from toxic mercury, arsenic, and other hazardous air pollutants emitted by dirty coal-fired power plants.

Currently, there are no national limits on the amount of air toxics that power plants can spew into the air. While Illinois follows the 90% emissions reduction guidelines, residents are asking the EPA to clean up mercury and coal pollution on a national level, and have safer air, water and fish across the country.

“Here in Illinois, our coal plants have made efforts to reduce mercury emissions. However, we are not protected from the fish we eat and we are not protected from the mercury pollution that crosses state boarders,” said Sarah Hodgdon,  Sierra Club director of Conservation. “We need EPA to protect us from mercury pollution, with national limits for power plants”

Pregnant women and children are at greatest risk from mercury exposure, especially if they consume large amounts of fish and seafood. Exposure to mercury can contribute to severe birth defects, including learning disabilities, delayed onset of walking and talking, and cerebral palsy. Mercury can make its way to our dinner tables via contaminated fish. Once ingested, mercury acts as a potent neurotoxin and can damage the brain and nervous system.

Stephanie Theirl of Milwaukee, Wisconsin has a three year old daughter and is planning for a second child. “Before I became pregnant, I became aware of various toxins and their effect on developing babies. Like most mothers, I wanted to do everything I could not only to get pregnant, but to hold the pregnancy and nurture my child from the very start,” said Theirl.  “Obviously, my job as a mom is to do everything in my power to ensure my child’s health and safety. Mercury is just one example of toxins we encounter every day, but a particularly troubling one.”

In addition to mercury, power plants emit arsenic, lead, other heavy metals, dioxin and acid gases. Even in small amounts these extremely harmful air pollutants are linked to health problems such as cancer, heart disease, neurological damage, birth defects, asthma attacks and even premature death.

“No one deserves to breathe toxic air pollution and no power plant should be allowed to emit toxic pollution that harms people’s health.  EPA’s proposal to regulate dangerously toxic air pollution from dirty coal power plants is already over a decade overdue and counting,” said Brian Urbaszewski, director of environmental health programs at Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago.  “Simply by doing what the Clean Air Act legally requires, the EPA can save thousands of lives every year and prevent tens of thousands of asthma attacks.”

The EPA can create getter Mercury and Air Toxin safeguards for the entire nation that would reduce emissions by 90% across the country, and not just in the state of Illinois and they can protect the health of Illinois residents by making sure other states to cut dangerous coal pollution.

“Powering our homes should not poison our kids,” said Catie Krasner, Field Organizer for Environment Illinois. “After decades of dirty energy lobbyists getting their way, EPA has finally issued a rule that is a major step toward clean air and healthy Americans. It’s about time dirty coal companies are required to clean up their act.”

For more information about the dangers of coal pollution, visit www.sierraclub.org/health. The event planners for this gathering include: Sierra Club, Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago, Environmental Law and Policy Center, Greenpeace , Faith in Place, Environment Illinois, Union of Concerned Scientists

###

CONTACT: Claire Orphan, Sierra Club
312.251.1680 x146 or 708.837.4529
claire.orphan@sierraclub.org

Serial Spillers: Groups Sue to Stop Chicago Water Regulators from Polluting the Chicago River

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press contact: Josh Mogerman, NRDC ; Jack Darin, Sierra Club; Glynnis Collins, Prairie Rivers Network

  

MWRD’s illegal sewage discharges mucking waterways from Chicago to Gulf of Mexico

CHICAGO (May 3, 2011) – A coalition of conservation groups have sued to stop the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) from dumping raw sewage mixed with stormwater, as well as algae-fueling pollution, into the Chicago River system. Effluent from MWRD’s sewage treatment plants and combined sewer overflow pipes regularly violate Clean Water Act standards in the River, impacting downstream waters from Chicago all the way to the Gulf of Mexico according to the suit.

Support for Clean Power Ordinance Growing while City Delays

A committee hearing on the Chicago Clean Power Ordinance drew hundreds of supporters to City Hall today. Congressman Bobby Rush, Chicago Medical Society President David Loiterman, and representatives from labor, health, community and environmental groups testified in support of the Ordinance at a packed hearing before the City’s Health and Energy, Environment and Public Works Committees. With Council Chambers over capacity, over 100 activists waited for hours in the lobby for their chance to testify in support of the ordinance that would the reduce the dangerous pollution the Fisk and Crawford coal plants in Chicago.