Reducing Carbon Emissions &

Bringing more Renewable Energy to Illinois

Status of Climate Change• Climate Change is happening much faster than

previously projected.

• 2014 was the warmest year ever recorded.

• 13 of last 16 years were the hottest years on record.

• The first 6 months of 2015 are the warmest six month period on record.

Warming Targets

In 2010 world (political) leaders agreed to limit warming to less than 2 degrees C., or 3.6 degrees F. over pre-industrial levels.

Leading scientists would have recommended 1 degree C. or lower as a far safer target.

The 2 degree C. threshold is now in jeopardy.

Warming Projections

The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, (IPCC), report projects temperatures will rise 4 degrees C. or 7 degrees F. by 2100.

All IPCC previous projections have exceeded

their “worst case” estimates.

The Timetable is changing…Our climate is now changing ten times

faster than at any time in history.

Scientists report an increasing number of self-reinforcing feedback loops. i.e.. (Artic ice melt compounding impact).

Projections of catastrophic warming dates are already being lowered to 2030’s – 2050’s.

A Sense of UrgencyWe must act now to get off fossil fuels!

Clean energy resources are available!

Our job is to build “The political will” for a clean & safe energy policy in Illinois.

Good news: Public attitudes on Climate Change are moving.66% of Americans say they are more likely to vote for

political candidates who campaign on fighting climate change.

67% of Americans, including 48% of Republicans said they were less likely to vote for a candidate who said that human-caused climate change was a hoax.

Survey conducted by Stanford University, The New York Times and Resources for the Future. Published 1/30/15 NYT.

What Actions are Anticipated?The first global treaty on climate change

will be signed in Paris in December 2015, (a small step in the right direction).

Little help from Congress can be expected. Executive Action and leadership by

President Obama is hopeful but he will need a clear public mandate.

Our best opportunity is at the state level, to get Illinois on a path to renewable energy.

Present Status of Electric Power in Illinois

 

Coal and Nuclear represents 88% of electric power

Natural Gas provides between 8 to 10%

Renewable energy provides 4 – 6%

Coal provides 40% of Electric Power

Represents 85% of carbon emissionsRepresents 60% of sulfur dioxide emissionsRepresents 50% of Mercury emissions 

Nuclear provides 48% of Electric PowerSafety concerns are numerousWaste disposal problems remain unresolvedCosts of present and new plants are

prohibitive… making nuclear power non-competitive

Study reports 37% increase in childhood

leukemia due to radiation exposure from living close to nuclear power plants.

* Dr. Ian Fairlie, British Radiation Spec.

Renewable Energy provides 4-6%

Let us look at why we have not made more progress after years of working at it.

 

Present Status of Electric Power (Cont’d)

How to Increase Renewable Energy

The biggest impediment is a lack of regional transmission lines to carry wind generated power to high population areas.

So far we have relied on utility companies to establish these transmission lines.

Utility companies have not done so in the past and have no plans to do so in the future.

A New Business Model for Illinois is Needed

Fortunately, there are good alternatives. Clean Line Energy Partners is one example of those alternatives.

They have a new kind of business model, an independent interstate highway for shipping energy.

This will provide renewable energy to heat 1.4 million homes in northern Illinois and Chicago.

Solar PowerTesla Motors has announced the introduction of

a lithium-ion battery to enable organizations and homeowners to store wind & solar energy (RE).

These batteries paired with solar panels will create a steady flow of electricity that is cheaper than energy from fossil fuel-based power plants.

In Illinois we must pass the Clean Jobs Energy Bill to enable community organizations/businesses and individuals to create mini-grids utilizing these batteries with solar/wind to dramatically expand (RE)

Recent Positive ActionsMajor planning to address mitigation of climate warming

includes: Global Climate Meeting in Paris, December 2015, has been

called by Secretary General of the UN. Each of the world leaders will be asked to commit to binding limits on warming emissions to meet the global objective of preventing global warming from exceeding 2°C or 3.6°F

More and Bolder Actions are Needed: The Pope’s EncyclicalPope Francis recently published his Climate Encyclical

(letter)“Laudato Si”.It is the most significant social teaching document by the

Catholic Church since 1891.His intention:“to cause enormous conversation” and

“provoke BOLD actions”.The encyclical is a review of the ecology of life that

sustains us all and it asks that all religious organizations put“care for creation at the center of their teachings and actions”.

Now An Interfaith AppealAlong with the Pope’s letter to 1.2 billion

Catholics..

The Islamic leaders have issued an Islamic Declaration on Climate, 2015; a call to 1.6 billion Muslims to “phase out greenhouse gas emissions ASAP and to commit to 100% RE as early as possible”.

A Rabbinic Letter on Climate Crisis, 2015 was published at about the same time as the Encyclical.

The EPA Clean Power PlanOn August 3, 2015, President Obama announced final

rules to limit carbon pollution from existing power plants. These are achievable targets to reduce carbon dioxide

(CO2) emissions by 32% from 2005 levels by 2030.U.S. power plants are the largest source of carbon

emissions and account for 40% of CO2 annually.

EPA New Rules Cont.It was necessary for President Obama to use “executive

orders” to implement the Clean Power Plan (CPP).Congress stays divided and has not passed any

environmental legislation in 20 years. Resistance is intense, as of October, 2015.

Political and Corporate ResistanceMajor oil, coal companies and climate deniers are spending billions in

advertising and lobbying efforts to block implementation of the Clean Power Plan (CPP).

Twelve states– all led by Republican governors– have filed a lawsuit against the EPA to block the implementation of the CPP.

Republican congressional representatives are trying to pass legislation that would cut the budget of the EPA and block funding to implement the CPP.

Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, sent a letter to all 50 governors telling them to ignore President Obama’s directive to implement the CPP.

Bringing Renewable Energy to IllinoisThe CPP enables each state to develop their own plans to

achieve the CO2 reduction objective.For Illinois, that objective is 31% reduction in carbon

emissions from 2012 levels by 2030.

The Clean Jobs Bill (Pending Legislation in Springfield)Would expand wind and solar power in IllinoisWould ramp up energy efficiency programs and reduces

power consumption by 20%Would add 32,000 new jobs in IllinoisWould lower energy costs to consumersWould provide an innovative means to open community

solar ownershipWould result in a more robust and resilient grid.

The Clean Energy Jobs Bill cont., Opportunity versus Risk85 members of the Illinois General Assembly

are in support of the Clean Jobs Bill.The Exelon and ComEd bills are competing

energy bills pending: both would continue the current energy monopolies in Illinois and would stifle Renewable Energy for the foreseeable future.

Our job is to build public support for the Clean Jobs Bill to be enacted without any “grand bargain” that would compromise renewable energy development in our state.

Additional Information

CAPA has placed a high priority on Climate Change. See past, present and planned Climate Warming Activities, go to: (add link ).

For more information on climate warming by known climate scientists and journalists and for actions to take: Go to “Chipeaceaction.org. Then go to the “Climate Tool Kit. Share any of these tools with your friends/organizations.

And, share your thoughts with us at Info@ChiPeaceAction.net or contact Jack Kelly at: kellyjack@comcast.net or M. Catherine Buntin at: mbuntin@yahoo.com

So let us work together: To bring about the transition that will enable

Illinois to be a leading state in carbon emission reduction and in providing renewable energy.

It is the right thing to do for: -The Environment (A path off of fossil fuels) -The Economy (Create Jobs, Attract New Businesses) -The People of Ill. (Lower Energy Costs, Healthier

Environment)