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Chicago Tribune
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Illinois Pollution Control Board denies stay to NRG Energy: ‘They are going to … remove the coal ash ponds from our lakefront'
Since proposing to remove one coal ash pond from the site of its decommissioned electric plant in Waukegan and cap another beside it in 2021, Houston-based NRG Energy has yet to begin the project or remedy coal ash contamination to the adjacent 10-acre grassy field. Though members of the Illinois General Assembly, local officials and environmental leaders want to see both ponds completely removed, NRG has resisted those efforts, as well as those of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to remediate the grassy field. Shortly after NRG announced its proposal in December of 2021, state Sen. Adriane Johnson, D-Buffalo Grove, and state Rep. Rita Mayfield, D-Waukegan, introduced legislation to require that all coal ash ponds along Lake Michigan in Illinois be removed. Easily gaining approval in the state Senate in early 2022, Mayfield did not bring the bill to the House floor because she said she was several votes short of a majority. She reintroduced the bill in 2023, and again this year. It remains a few votes short of the majority, she said. She said NRG has lobbied hard against it. 'They've done nothing except intensely lobby against legislation,' Mayfield said. 'They've spent countless dollars hiring lawyers to appeal court orders. They've done nothing but shirk their responsibilities. It's time for them to get the coal ash away from the lakefront.' Before making its proposal on the ponds in December of 2021, NRG tried to persuade the Illinois Pollution Control Board that the IEPA's rules were not applicable. The board ruled in March that NRG must obey. NRG asked the board for a stay while it appealed to the Illinois Appellate Court. The Illinois Pollution Control Board denied NRG's request for a stay during the appellate process on June 25 in Chicago, ruling the public will continue to be burdened by the existing contamination. In its ruling, the board wrote that NRG has avoided 'permitting oversight' despite rules that were put in place more than four years ago. 'A stay would impose a considerable hardship on the public because (the grassy field) — a demonstrated source of groundwater contamination — would remain outside IEPA's permitting oversight,' the court wrote. Erik Linden, a spokesperson for NRG, said in an email that the company is evaluating the board's decision before it decides its 'next steps.' It has 35 days from June 25 to appeal the stay order to the Illinois Appellate Court for the Second District, according to Illinois law. After the board issued its March 20 order in a unanimous 5-0 decision, NRG appealed to the Second District Appellate Court. The case remains pending there. With remediation of the grassy field in the hands of the Second District Appellate Court, Marie Tipsord, an attorney with the board, said the removal or capping of the coal ash ponds is in the hands of the IEPA, which must issue a permit for the work. Though originally NRG planned to remove the East Pond and cap the West Pond, the company now plans to cap both ponds, 'by installing a final cover system over the impoundment,' according to the plan the company filed with IEPA. Linden said NRG submitted operating and closure permits to the IEPA in a timely manner, and is 'awaiting their response.' Mayfield said she plans to continue working with her colleagues in the state legislature to get enough votes to approve her proposed law requiring all coal ash ponds near Lake Michigan to be removed. She is growing more hopeful that the recent court decisions will help lead to a good outcome. 'They are sending a message to NRG that this is the direction things are going,' she said. 'At some point, they are going to take responsibility and remove the coal ash ponds from our lakefront.'
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lawmakers push for major financial changes to critical pension systems: 'It is really imperative'
A new bill could cause significant changes for Illinois pension systems — and it all starts with tackling dirty energy. Senate Bill 130 would prohibit the pension systems for legislators, state employees, university workers, judges, and teachers from investing in fossil fuel companies. The legislation would make it mandatory for Illinois' five pension systems to complete divestment from those institutions by 2030. The Democrats behind the bill are encouraging the state to move toward clean energy and away from oil and gas investments. Do you think the federal government should give us tax breaks to improve our homes? Definitely Only for certain upgrades Let each state decide instead No way Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "It is really imperative for the state pension funds to be more mindful and aligned with the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act that we made a commitment to, and this will align with that," Senator Adriane Johnson, a sponsor of the bill, said. The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act was signed into law by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker back in 2021. The law includes plans to phase out air pollution from energy and transportation sectors. It also requires the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to establish grant and rebate programs for electric vehicles and charging stations. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, coal, natural gas, and oil release nitrogen oxide into the atmosphere, driving the formation of smog and acid rain. Gas-powered cars, large industrial operations, and coal-fired power plants are all major sources of nitrogen oxide emissions. In order to reduce air pollution, the EPA recommends cutting back on driving gas-powered vehicles. Consider carpooling, taking public transit, or riding a bike. You can also conserve energy by limiting the use of air conditioning and turning off the lights when they're not in use. Conserving energy not only helps the environment, but it also helps lower your utility bills. Representative Will Guzzardi, a Democratic budget leader, said divesting pension funds from oil and gas companies in Illinois would eventually increase returns. "Not only is it aligned with our goals on climate, but it is aligned with our goals on guaranteeing a safe retirement for all public employees," Guzzardi said. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
DOJ gets involved in lawsuit over new Illinois law
WASHINGTON D.C. (WCIA) — The U.S. Department of Justice is intervening in a lawsuit, as it views a new Illinois law governing nonprofits violates the Constitution. Governor JB Pritzker signed a bill into law in June requiring large nonprofits that report more than $1 million in grants to share data over their leaders' demographics. The law went into effect at the start of the year. DOGE announces closures of 6 Central IL buildings The bill was sponsored by State Senator Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove), who said last year the law's goal is to get more organizations to be diverse so they can more effectively help their communities. 'It is crucial for diversity and inclusion to be embraced within the non-profit sector, as many of these organizations serve diverse communities,' Johnson said after her bill was signed. 'Inclusive leadership positions of nonprofits will enhance the organization's overall mission.' The American Alliance For Equal Rights sued several state government leaders including Illinois Department of Human Rights director Jim Bennett in January over the law, calling it 'unfair and illegal'. The U.S. Department of Justice also filed a 'Memorandum of Law in support of United States' Motion to Intervene' for AAER v. Bennett on Tuesday. Court documents show attorneys believe the law violates an Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Bill in Illinois statehouse would require standardized emergency plans for schools 'The United States cannot and will not sit idly while a state denies its citizens equal protection under the guise of diversity,' said U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. 'Discrimination in all its forms is abhorrent and must be eliminated. The Department of Justice will continue to exercise its statutory right to intervene in cases whenever a state encourages DEI instead of merit.' One of President Donald Trump's main goals is ending Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives across all forms of government. Trump signed an executive order on the first day of his second term to end 'DEI's infiltration of the Federal Government'. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
