build new renewable ELECTRICITY infrastructure
The current electrical system was built in an era of cheap fossil fuels and limited awareness of their environmental impacts. It consists primarily of power plants and transmission lines built close to cities, train lines, coal mines and other sources of fossil fuels. In order for more renewable energy to be added to the electrical grid, new infrastructure must be created to transmit it.
Offshore wind
Lake Michigan's strong winds could potentially provide plentiful electricity to the Chicago area. However, the technical and regulatory infrastructure for off-shore wind power does not yet exist in Illinois. The following groups are working to change that.
Offshore Wind Illinois is a coalition of individuals and organizations, coordinated by the Illinois Chapter of the Sierra Club, promoting offshore wind in Lake Michigan. Sign up on their website for email updates.
The Lake Michigan Offshore Wind Advisory Council, coordinated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, is working on the evaluation and consideration of offshore wind energy in the Illinois waters of Lake Michigan.
Citizens' Greener Evanston has worked closely with state legislators to advance legislation needed to develop an off-shore wind park in Lake Michigan.
The Lake Michigan Offshore Wind Advisory Council, coordinated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, is working on the evaluation and consideration of offshore wind energy in the Illinois waters of Lake Michigan.
Citizens' Greener Evanston has worked closely with state legislators to advance legislation needed to develop an off-shore wind park in Lake Michigan.
New transmission lines
Many of the highest quality and most abundant renewable sources of electricity, especially wind power, are located far from existing transmission lines and consumers. Therefore, new transmission lines need to be built to bring renewable electricity to consumers.
Clean Line Energy Partners builds transmission lines to transport wind energy. The Rock Island Clean Line will transport electricity from Iowa wind farms to Illinois and other states to the east. Public comment is welcomed during the lengthy transmission line siting process in Illinois.
LEARN MORE ABOUT NATIONWIDE ISSUES
The Sustainable FERC Project, coordinated by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), involves numerous environmental and public interest groups in greening the grid. They advocate at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) which regulates the nation's electricity transmission grid. While not designed for citizen activists, the project website provides extensive information on issues involved in greening the nation's electrical system.