|
The announcement came as Gov. Blagojevich's Climate Change
Advisory Group prepared to meet to address the serious and urgent
issue of global climate change. The Governor charged the advisory
group with recommending strategies to meet these GHG reduction
goals. The advisory group, comprised of business leaders, labor
unions, the energy and agricultural industries, scientists, and
environmental and consumer groups from throughout the state, will
meet over a six-month period to identify measures to
cost-effectively reduce greenhouse gases.
"The impact of global warming in Illinois and around the globe
could be devastating, and we can't wait for the federal government
to act, because scientists worldwide have warned that we must
address climate change within the next decade to avoid serious and
irreversible consequences," said Gov. Blagojevich. "The
international community recognizes that rising temperatures, melting
glaciers, and unusual weather patterns are warning signs telling us
that climate change is a reality. Now, despite inaction by President
Bush, we must deal with it. By committing ourselves to action in
Illinois, we can help minimize the effects of climate change and
ensure our children and grandchildren inherit a healthy world full
of opportunity."
Scientists have reached consensus that increasing emissions of
carbon dioxide from the combustion of fossil fuels, methane from
landfills and other sources of GHGs are trapping heat and warming
the earth's atmosphere. These gases remain in the atmosphere for
decades or even centuries. Earlier this month, the United Nations
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reported that heat trapped
by GHGs is raising the temperature of the air and oceans, causing
snow and ice to melt and sea levels to rise. More than 1,200 experts
from 113 countries wrote and reviewed the report.
According to scientists, global warming could cause a variety of
serious problems in Illinois, including more frequent droughts,
flooding, and extreme heat events. Such changes could endanger
public health, decrease agricultural production, overwhelm sewage
infrastructure, and cause property damage. Increased temperatures
could also lead to dangerous increases in the level of air pollution
and to the introduction of non-native invasive species that could
damage Illinois' ecosystems.
The Governor's GHG reduction goals are similar to goals set
by other states and those proposed by U.S. Senators Lieberman and
McCain. Scientists argue that global reductions of this magnitude
are needed to minimize the impact of climate change.
"The goals the Governor has set will help the Climate Change
Advisory Group identify the key strategies needed to make meaningful
reductions in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases statewide
while improving the competitiveness of Illinois' economy," said
Illinois EPA Director Doug Scott. "From the Governor's Energy
Independence Plan that will create thousands of jobs in the
renewable energy sector, to powering state facilities with wind
power, to the Illinois Conservation and Climate Initiative that
helps farmers earn money by trapping carbon dioxide in the soil,
Illinois is making a strong commitment to minimize the impact of
global warming."
"Baxter International has found that pursuing long-term GHG
emission reduction goals produce not only great environmental
results but significant economic and social benefits as well.
Baxter's energy conservation efforts have resulted in an energy
savings of over $8 million for each of the last two years and, from
1996 to 2005, Baxter reduced energy-related GHG emissions by 27% per
unit of production," said Art Gibson, Senior Vice President of
Baxter International.
"Illinois is stepping up to advance needed policy solutions to
our global warming problems while the federal government has lagged
behind," said Howard Learner, Executive Director of the
Environmental Law & Policy Center. "The Governor's Climate Change
Advisory Group can help Illinois move to the forefront in developing
more clean energy, cleaner cars and more energy efficient buildings
that will help reduce global warming pollution. That provides
benefits for our environment, our economy and future generations."
"Three cheers for Governor Blagojevich in taking on the most
serious environmental challenge of our generation," said Rebecca
Stanfield, State Director of Environment Illinois. "These reduction
goals reflect the best current scientific consensus of the cuts we
need to make to prevent the most catastrophic impacts of global
warming."
The Illinois Climate Change Advisory Group will be chaired by
Doug Scott, Director of the Illinois Environmental Protection
Agency. Vice Chairs include Michael Carrigan, Secretary/Treasurer,
Illinois AFL-CIO; Art Gibson, Senior Vice President, Baxter
Healthcare; and Howard Learner, Executive Director, Environmental
Law and Policy Center of the Midwest. The World Resources Institute
will facilitate the Advisory Group meetings and provide technical
assistance.
[to top of second column] |
 Other members of the Advisory Group include: ADM, Ameren, BP America
Inc., Caterpillar, Inc., Center for Energy and Economic Development,
Citizen Action of Illinois, Citizens Utility Board, City of Chicago,
Deere & Company, Dynegy, Environment Illinois, Faith in Place, Ford
Motor Company, League of Women Voters of Illinois, Midwest
Generation, Midwest Wind Energy, NICOR, Natural Resources Defense
Council, Phoenix Architects, Inc., Regional Transportation
Authority, Scates Farm, Sieben Energy Associates, Sierra Club -
Illinois Chapter, State Farm Insurance, United Transportation Union,
University of Illinois Chicago, University of Illinois
Urbana/Champaign, Village of Schaumburg, and Waste Management, Inc.
The announcement Feb. 13 builds on steps already taken by
Illinois to reduce greenhouse gas emissions:
This month, the Governor joined California Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger and executives from BP to launch the Energy
Biosciences Institute to be based at the University of Illinois
Urbana/Champaign and the University of California Berkeley. The
$500 million effort funded by BP will invest in research
next-generation homegrown biofuels made from crops that will cut GHG
emissions, boost America's energy independence and create new
markets for Illinois farmers.
In January 2007, Gov. Blagojevich celebrated final approval of
rules he introduced to dramatically improve air quality and protect
public health by dramatically slashing mercury, sulfur dioxide and
nitrogen oxide emissions from the three largest coal-fired power
plant companies in Illinois, Midwest Generation, Ameren, and Dynegy.
The agreements include commitments to shut down three of the oldest,
least efficient boiler units, leading to a reduction of 2.1 million
tons of CO2 annually.
Last fall, Gov. Blagojevich's announced his global warming
initiative to combat global climate change. As part of the
Governor's global warming initiative, Illinois joined New Mexico to
become only the second state in the nation to join the Chicago
Climate Exchange (CCX). As a CCX member, the state makes a
voluntary, but legally binding, commitment to reduce GHG emissions
from state buildings and vehicle fleets.
Last summer, Gov. Blagojevich announced an ambitious plan to meet
the state's energy needs by investing in wind power and cleaner
burning renewable fuels that will cut greenhouse gas emissions. The
plan also includes a proposed pipeline to help capture carbon
dioxide emissions from new coal gasification plants.
Last July, the Governor announced the State of Illinois would
begin powering 141 Springfield-based facilities under his control
with clean renewable wind energy purchased from the Springfield's
municipal utility company, City Water Light and Power.
In early 2006, Illinois launched the Illinois Conservation
Climate Initiative (ICCI) in partnership with the Chicago Climate
Exchange (CCX) and the Delta Institute. ICCI offers farmers and other
landowners the opportunity to earn and sell greenhouse gas emission
reduction credits through CCX when they take steps to trap carbon
dioxide and reduce methane emissions by using conservation tillage
and planting grasses and trees. These practices keep carbon in the
soil and plants instead of being released as carbon dioxide.
Illinois is the first state to sponsor such a program. More than 200
landowners have enrolled 67,000 acres.
The State has taken numerous steps to reduce GHG emissions from
its vehicle fleet, including reducing the overall number of state
vehicles by 11 percent, from 13,635 in 2003 to 12,100 now;
increasing the number of flex-fuel vehicles in the state fleet from
1,339 in 2000 (10 percent of fleet), to 1,944 now (16 percent of
fleet); increasing the use of renewable and cleaner burning ethanol
and biodiesel in the state fleet. More than 1 million gallons of
biofuels have been consumed by state vehicles since April 2004.
These efforts not only curtail GHG emissions but save taxpayers
money by limiting the state's use of electricity and petroleum-based
transportation fuels.
[Text copied from file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information] |
