Renner Barsella, renner.barsella@sierraclub.org
SPRINGFIELD, IL -- On May 31, negotiations on a groundbreaking climate bill for Illinois broke down after Illinois’ largest climate polluter, the Prairie State Energy Campus (PSEC) coal plant, demanded a total exemption from pollution limits that would apply to Illinois fossil fuel power plants. PSEC is the single largest carbon polluter in Illinois, and the seventh largest carbon emitting power plant in the United States.
In response, Sierra Club Illinois Director Jack Darin released the following statement:
“Illinois is poised to lead the country with an agreement to transition from fossil fuels to clean energy in ways that create good jobs and new business opportunities for communities hardest hit by the pandemic and systemic racism. That bold plan is now on hold only because Illinois’ biggest polluter objected. That is outrageous.
“We applaud Governor Pritzker for his leadership and insistence that an energy bill include firm deadlines to decarbonize our power grid. We can absolutely do that in ways that create high-wage jobs and savings for consumers, but only if we stand up to big coal and utilities who want special treatment.
“We call on legislative leaders to listen to communities, not polluters, in passing a bold plan for a generation of new jobs building our clean energy future. In order to say yes to a better future for communities that need our help, we must say no to polluters who want special treatment and business as usual.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.