Background

In Illinois, the largest source of global warming pollution is the fleet of coal burning power plants throughout the state, whose combined emissions add up to nearly 40% of the state’s global warming pollution.  Unfortunately, these plants’ emissions have only increased over the last decade and, without regulation, they will continue to do so.

The Illinois Climate Change Advisory Group recommended capping emissions from these plants and other major sources starting in 2011, and gradually reducing the cap each year to bring emissions down to 1990 levels by 2020.  Click here to read the full recommendation.(pdf)

This cap was part of a comprehensive global warming plan for Illinois which also included clean car standards, boosting renewable energy development and cutting energy use through aggressive efficiency standards.  Taken as a whole, the plan not only gets Illinois on track to help stop global warming, but it also increases jobs in Illinois, increases our gross state product and saves consumers money on their energy bills – a win-win-win scenario.

Environment Illinois supports the Global Warming Response Act, which turns this plan into a reality in Illinois.   

In addition, we’re working with our allies in Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota to create a coordinated multi-state cap on global warming pollution for the entire region. Last fall six Midwestern governors signed a climate accord, pledging to work together toward this goal.  You can read the accord here. (pdf)