Nuclear Energy Information Service
Illinois' Nuclear Power Watchdog for 25 Years

Sen Fitzgerald Urged to Support Clean Energy

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release: Tuesday, May 23, 2000

For more information: Hans Detweiler, ELPC (312)795-3720

SUPPORT "CLEAN ENERGY NOW," AREA ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS URGE SEN. FITZGERALD

CHICAGO-- The leaders of ten prominent Illinois environmental organizations representing thousands of their members sent a letter today to Sen. Peter Fitzgerald, urging him to support "Clean Energy NOW" in his deliberations on S.1369, the "Clean Energy Act of 1999." The bill comes before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee -- of which Fitzgerald is a member -- on Wednesday.

"The Clean Energy Act, S. 1369 (Jeffords, R-VT) contains provision scalling for coal plant cleanup, a renewable portfolio standard, public benefits funding, net metering, and disclosure; in short, this a strong step in the right direction in the electricity sector," notes Hans Detweiler, energy analyst for the Environmental Law and Policy Center of the Midwest.

The bill -- introduced by Republican Sen. Jim Jeffords of Vermont -- is one of several competing bills introduced in Congress dealing with the federal version of electric utility deregulation. It is the bill that most environmental and public interest groups favor, both locally and nationally.

Of great significance to Illinois and the Midwest, the bill would finally end the exemption from clean air laws currently enjoyed by aging coal-fired power plants. "This bill provides the long-overdue elimination of the 'grand-fathering' clause for old polluting coal plants. Our organizations have been calling for this for years; and now even the Chicago Tribune endorses this position," said Maureen Headington of the "Stand Up, Save Lives!" Campaign, which since 1999 gathered municipal resolutions representing 3 million Illinoisans in favor of eliminating this pollution loophole.

"Cleaning up coal-fired power plants is the simplest and most cost-effective way to reduce Illinois' air pollution. We call on Illinois' U.S. Sen. Fitzgerald to support common sense measures to clean up power plants and protect public health and our environment," stated Diane E. Brown, Executive Director of the Illinois Public Interest Research Group (Illinois PIRG). The bill also aggressively promotes renewable energy and energy efficiency by creation of a "renewables portfolio standard," which creates a timetable for phasing-in of defined levels of renewable-generated power.

"THIS is the ‘Clean Energy --NOW!' agenda that Earth Day 2000 was all about," asserts David Kraft, Director of Evanston's Nuclear Energy Information Service. "What a concept! Cleaner air; less nuclear waste; viable renewable energy; more Illinois jobs; same dollar spent! Is this a position that Sen. Fitzgerald can get behind?" Kraft asks.

The impact of a growing renewable energy market on Illinois' economy would be a positive one. "With companies like Spire Solar Chicago and NEG-Micon of Champaign opening shop here, we're beginning to see more manufacturing jobs returning to Illinois," observes Lynda Delaforgue of Citizen Action Illinois. "These are quality energy jobs of the future -- here NOW! We'd like to see more. Sen. Fitzgerald can help assure that," she points out.

"With electric power plant pollution being the largest single fixed-source producer of harmful air pollutants, this bill is definitely about people's health," maintains Brian Urbaszewski, director of environmental health programs for the American Lung Association of Metropolitan Chicago. "Sen. Fitzgerald has the opportunity of providing two tremendous public benefits -- clean power, and clean lungs -- with one vote by supporting the Jeffords bill," Urbaszewski concludes.

The bill is scheduled to go before the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee for debate on Wednesday, May 24th.

"Any electric industry legislation—whether a comprehensive restructuring bill or a "streamlined" reliability bill—will have major environmental consequences," the environmental leaders write.

"The Clean Energy Act provisions would ensure that reliability is enhanced and electricity costs are reduced in ways that also protect the environment. We urge you to oppose any electricity bill that fails to deal with the environmental consequences of restructuring the nation's most polluting industry, or that pits reliability or cost-cutting against clean and healthy air," they assert.

The leaders will be requesting a meeting with Sen. Fitzgerald to discuss these issues.

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