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SPRINGFIELD
– Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced a statewide goal to slash the
production of heat-trapping greenhouse gases (GHGs) to 1990 levels by
2020 and 60 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. The GHG goals are part
of a long-term strategy by the state to combat global climate change
and builds on steps the state has already taken to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions to protect the environment and public health.
The announcement comes as Gov. Blagojevich’s Climate Change
Advisory Group prepares 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 are raising the temperature of the air and oceans, causing snow
and ice to melt and seal 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.
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.
Today’s announcement 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 offer 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.
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Illinois LCV to join IL Governor's Climate Change Advisory Group
