Mission

Eight oil refinery expansions have been proposed across the Midwest over the past few months due in large part to the newly commercially viable tar sands in Alberta, Canada.  Alberta tar sands or Canadian crude is sandy, petroleum rich deposits which can be harvested, then transported to oil refineries to be processed and converted into workable fuel for our cars and trucks, among other things. The potential increase in global warming from the oil refinery expansions is huge.  One proposed new oil refinery in Hyperion, SD would add 19 million tons of pollutants - the equivalent of 4 to 6 new coal-fired power plants to the state.  The proposed expansion by BP in northwest Indiana is reported to increase global warming pollution by 40%.

 

Iowa Governor Signs Energy Efficiency Bill

May 7, 2008 - Governor Chet Culver signed a bill designed to boost the state's energy efficiency in a number of ways. Highlights of the bill include a new energy efficiency commission that will develop stricter standards for building construction, and a requirement that the state's electric utilities develop efficiency goals and formally report on progress toward achieving them. ELPC and our partners are leading the Iowa Global Warming Solutions Campaign, which will be working to implement renewable energy, energy efficiency and greenhouse gas pollution reduction policies in Iowa.

 

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.

 

There are eight massive oil refinery expansions proposed in the Midwest right now, which have an enormous environmental footprint.  They will produce enormous air and water pollution unless state-of-the-art modern pollution control technology and practices are required at the outset.  ELPC’s goal:  no net increase in air pollution, no net increase in water pollution, and all CO2 increases must be offset.  ELPC and our regional colleagues are asking oil companies to use state-of-the art technology to operate as cleanly as possible.  In California, ConocoPhillips agreed to no net increases in air pollution, water pollution, and carbon dioxide pollution through offsets in a 600-million dollar expansion project in Contra Costa County. If it’s possible in California, it should be possible for all Midwestern oil refinery expansions.