MEDIA ADVISORY AND DAYBOOK ITEM FOR THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 2021
Contact: Ivan Moreno, imoreno@nrdc.org, 773-799-6455
Waukegan Advocates say, “The world will not wait for Springfield, communities need clean energy transition now.”
CHICAGO, IL -- This morning, NRG Energy announced intentions to retire Chicagoland coal plants Waukegan Generating Station and Will County Generating Station in Romeoville. The announcement, made on this morning’s investor call, comes as the General Assembly reached an impasse on omnibus energy legislation. This legislation would have ensured support and transition resources for workers and communities like Waukegan impacted by retiring plants.
Waukegan Generating Station is the second worst environmental justice offender in the nation according to the NAACP Coal Blooded report. It is located north of downtown Waukegan in Lake County, where more than 90 percent of the neighborhood’s population are people of color. Lake County community leaders have been organizing for over eight years to fight the dangerous environmental and public health impacts of the coal plant.
Clean Power Lake County, a community-driven group, has educated community members about the dangers of coal burning, participated in countless city council meetings, testified before state and federal elected officials about coal ash, and have changed the face of local political engagement. The retirement of the Waukegan coal plant is the result of community leaders’ years-long commitment to working toward a just clean energy transition.
WHAT: Local community advocates from Waukegan, Will County, and Chicago will respond to NRG retirement announcements
WHEN: Today, 3:00pm Central Standard Time
WHERE: https://www.facebook.com/CleanPowerLC/live
WHO:
Celeste Flores, Co-Chair of Clean Power Lake County
Dulce Ortiz, Co-Chair of Clean Power Lake County
Eduardo Flores, Steering Committee member of Clean Power Lake County
Kim Wasserman-Nieto, Director of the Little Village Environmental Organization
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Clean Power Lake County is a community-driven group that works to ensure clean air, clean water, and healthy soil for every Lake County community member and to achieve the self-determination of those disproportionately impacted by environmental pollution. Their vision is to build a sustainable community that promotes the healthy development of all Lake County communities, specifically those most vulnerable (including immigrant, low-income, and working-class families), by addressing environmental racism, practicing participatory democracy, advancing self-determination, and empowering black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC).