Mission

The Environmental Law & Policy Center is actively engaged in activities to reduce global warming. Our work focuses on environmental solutions that can dramatically reduce carbon pollution.

Midwest-focused solutions are critical. Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin account for 20% of the nation’s carbon pollution, with only 5% of the world’s population. The Midwest alone is responsible for more global warming pollution than any country, except China, India, Russia and Japan. That’s because the Midwest has the largest concentration of old, dirty coal plants that produce large amounts of carbon dioxide which cause global warming, and because we ar the hub of the U.S. transportation industry.

 

New ELPC Climate Solutions Blog on MyCarbonPledge.com

April 26, 2008 - The Indianapolis Zoo has launched a new website at www.mycarbonpledge.com that asks visitors to pledge to change their light bulbs to CFLs and make other green commitments. Those pledges are then "green mapped" to show the area covered by the pledges. The site also features blogs by environmental experts, including ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner.

 

Iowa Global Warming Campaign Enters New Phase

April 3, 2008 - ELPC's successful campaign to impress upon presidential candidates the importance of global warming has entered its next phase. The campaign is focusing more on building influence and consensus about global warming in Iowa. Read an interview with Andrew Snow, its new director, as he talks about next steps.

 

Farm energy

Production of energy from biofuels, biogas, wind power, and solar energy can reduce our demand for foreign oil, create jobs in America's heartland, and reduce carbon pollution. Learn more

Create renewable energy markets

Renewable energy resources are the fuel of the future and passage of renewable portfolio standards (RPS) in every Midwestern state is a critical step to building a clean energy future. Learn more

Clean up dirty coal plants

The Midwest still depends on coal-fired power plants for more than 75% of its electrical power. Coal plants are among the dirtiest sources of power. ELPC is working to bring these older plants up to modern pollution control standards. Learn more

Oppose wasteful highway spending

ELPC partners with local environmental groups to oppose unnecessary highway projects that promote sprawl and encourage more fuel consumption. Learn more

Clean up the automotive fleet

Along the East and West coasts, 12 states have enacted legislation that would reduce the carbon dioxide pollution from our vehicles by up to 30% starting in 2009. Passing a clean car standard in Illinois would result in more than 38,000 new jobs and an economic infusion of $6.1 billion, mainly because drivers are spending less for foreign fuel and more on local goods and services.
Learn more

Implement energy efficient building codes

Doing energy efficiency "right" at the new construction and major rehab stage is by far the most cost-effective time to make these pro-environmental and energy cost reduction investments. ELPC waged a two-year public advocacy campaign for an energy efficiency building code in Illinois that came to fruition in 2004. We're now working towards a residential energy efficient building code for Illinois. Learn more

Take action now

Visit GlobalWarmingSolutions.org to learn how you can take action to stop global warming.