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CWLP will provide wind power to serve these state facilities and a
portion of the other Springfield customers. In addition to providing
wind power, CWLP has agreed to dramatically reduce air emissions
from its proposed new coal-fired power plant and to meet the
governor's proposed mercury rule by cutting mercury emissions by 90
percent. The proposal will now go before the Springfield City
Council Utilities Committee. "By relying more on renewable energy
sources like wind, we can generate the electricity we need without
polluting our air or contributing to global warming. This effort
will help improve the quality of life for families in the
Springfield area," Blagojevich said. "The Sierra Club and CWLP both
deserve credit for working with us on a plan that could serve as a
great model for other communities, and even for the rest of the
country."
In 2005, state facilities under the governor's control used
approximately 30 million kilowatt hours of electricity purchased
from CWLP. Upon reaching a final agreement with CWLP, power
delivered to the 141 facilities in Springfield under the authority
of the governor will be 100 percent wind-generated beginning July 1,
2007, and continuing for at least 10 years. In addition, the state
and CWLP will cooperatively develop energy-saving measures to help
reduce the state's overall energy use.
"Powering state buildings with wind power clearly demonstrates
Governor Blagojevich's leadership to not only protect public health
and the environment, but to take aggressive action to address the
very real threat of global warming," said Illinois EPA Director Doug
Scott. "The governor's action today sends a clear signal that
Illinois is firmly on the path to a sustainable energy future."
The governor's announcement Wednesday builds on his commitment to
promote renewable energy development in Illinois. Last year,
Blagojevich proposed a Sustainable Energy Plan that requires
Illinois electric utilities to provide 8 percent of their
electricity from renewable sources by 2013 and boost investment in
energy-saving programs. The proposal has accelerated the development
of wind farms and prompted the Illinois Commerce Commission to
consider renewable energy requirements and expansion of programs to
reduce energy use.
"Leading by example is the right thing to do, whether it's
investing in clean, homegrown, renewable energy like wind power or
taking steps to save energy and reduce our energy costs," said Paul
Campbell, director of the Department of Central Management Services,
which manages facilities on behalf of state agencies. "Powering
Illinois government with renewable energy is common sense because
wind power is not only good for the environment, it's good for
farmers and rural communities who benefit from the income, jobs and
tax revenue wind farms generate."
Since coming into office, Blagojevich has demonstrated his
commitment to improving the air quality in Illinois and regionally:
[to top of second column]
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In January 2006,
Blagojevich announced his proposal to aggressively cut mercury
emissions from Illinois power plants by 90 percent by mid-2009.
These state standards will go far beyond the federal Clean Air
Mercury Rule restrictions adopted last spring and would make
Illinois a national leader in efforts to reduce toxic emissions
into the environment.
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Last year,
Blagojevich charged the Illinois Department of Transportation,
in collaboration with the Illinois Environmental Protection
Agency, to undertake a major pollution reduction initiative on
the reconstruction project of the Dan Ryan Expressway. Heavy
construction equipment on the Dan Ryan project is required to
use emissions control or ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel, which is
significantly cleaner than regular diesel fuel. The Department
of Transportation has also instituted idling limits and dust
controls in order to reduce construction-related air emissions.
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Blagojevich called
on Illinois hospitals that still burn trash and medical waste
on-site to voluntarily stop this practice. The emissions from
hospital incinerators are known to contain dangerous toxins.
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In October 2003,
the governor's Illinois Clean School Bus Program was launched to
offer grants to Illinois school districts, enabling them to
reduce pollution from their school bus fleets. The multifaceted
program includes assisting Illinois school districts in
replacing existing buses with cleaner models, retrofitting
existing buses with advanced emission control technologies and
implementing the use of cleaner fuels.
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The state of
Illinois has one of the largest fleets in the nation of
flexible-fuel vehicles that can use E-85, and the governor
signed an executive order in 2004 that is increasing the amount
of E-85 used in state vehicles.
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The state has
switched its diesel pumps to 2 percent biodiesel, and in 2005
the governor signed legislation that requires the state, county
and local governments, school districts, universities and
community colleges, and mass transit agencies to use 2 percent
biodiesel.
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The Illinois
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity provides grants
for gasoline stations to offer E-85, for ethanol research and
for new ethanol production facilities.
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A website shows
the public where to find E-85 stations in Illinois and which
vehicles can run on E-85:
www.illinoisgreenfleets.org.
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The Illinois EPA
provides rebates for alternative fuel vehicles and alternative
fuels, including biodiesel and ethanol.
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Early in his
administration, Blagojevich signed legislation that eliminates
the sales tax on E-85 and certain percentages of biodiesel.
[News release from the governor's
office] |
