Blog

EPA Undercutting State Authority to Protect Water

The Trump administration is now proposing to curb states’ rights to address pollution under the Section 401 of the Clean Water Act

1/15/26

Howard A. Learner

Editorial: A Supreme Court Ruling Has Put Illinois’ Wetlands at Risk. Springfield Should Respond.

The Chicago Tribune Editorial Board calls on lawmakers in Springfield to protect Illinois wetlands

1/15/26

Rolling Back Fuel Economy Standards Is a Step Backward

The Trump Administration is rolling back Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, a move that would undo years of progress on fuel savings, cleaner air, and climate protection.

1/8/26

Ann Mesnikoff

EPA Proposal Would Allow Coal Ash Contamination to Continue Polluting Groundwater

ELPC's Nancy Stoner testified against EPA’s proposal to allow polluting coal-fired power plants to continue to operate and to delay closure of some of the largest coal ash ponds in the nation.

1/7/26

Nancy Stoner

Safe Waters of the United States Are Critical to All

More than 80% of wetlands and at least 5 million miles of streams would lose federal protection

1/5/26

Nancy Stoner

Ottawa National Forest Proposes Massive Logging Project

This Upper Peninsula of Michigan project would extend for 40 Miles from the Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness to U.S. 2 near Iron River

12/22/25

Kelly Thayer

PERMIT Act: House Votes to Severely Weaken Clean Water Act

The PERMIT Act poses genuine threats to human health, making it easier for polluters to discharge toxic pollutants into the waters Americans use

12/19/25

Nancy Stoner

The Case for Grid-Friendly Data Centers in Illinois

Data centers have already transformed electricity demand across the U.S., creating new environmental and cost challenges. We’ve heard plenty about the challenges – but what about the opportunities?

12/17/25

Brad Klein

2025 Year-End Update

As we head into 2026, ELPC's Howard Learner reflects on the real-world challenges - and the real opportunities - ahead of us.

12/12/25

Howard A. Learner

ELPC Gives a Dam about Anglers

Advocating for Ratepayers and the Environment in Michigan Dam Sale Case

12/4/25

Daniel Abrams

Coalition Supports Public Intercity Bus Station

As organizations that advocate for safe, effective, and efficient transportation, here’s why we are excited to support the growth and transformation of 21st century intercity bus travel to and through Chicago.

11/24/25

Lena Guerrero Reynolds

Why Does the Trump Admin Want to Stop Protecting Waterways?

The integrity of the nation’s waters appears to have been tossed aside – and no attempt is being made even to quantify what is being lost.

11/20/25

Nancy Stoner

From Toxic Dump to Future Park: A Landmark Victory for Chicago’s Southeast Side

“Chicago’s lakefront is for people and parks, not toxic waste dumps.”

11/13/25

Judith Nemes

Two Climate Wins for Illinois: Public Transit & Clean Energy

The Illinois General Assembly passed a transformative transit bill, mere hours after passing clean energy legislation, an incredible one-two punch for climate action

11/6/25

Lena Guerrero Reynolds

Arguing for Fair Utility Rates before the Ohio Supreme Court

ELPC argued for fairer utility rates in front of the Ohio Supreme Court. With energy costs increasing across Ohio, the PUCO should be doing everything possible to help residents reduce their bills and energy use.

11/3/25

Daniel Abrams

No One Voted for Polluted Water: Don’t Delay Power Plant Effluent Limits

EPA’s proposal would give a green light to power plants to keep dumping toxic pollutants into our waterways.

10/20/25

Nancy Stoner

Great Lakes Beach Closures in Summer 2024 and 2025: A Regional Comparison

ELPC looked back over this year’s data to examine patterns in beach access along the Great Lakes shorelines.

10/6/25

Nancy Stoner

Without Greenhouse Gas Reporting, There’s No Climate Accountability

ELPC testified on EPA's proposed rule to end its Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP), which would remove reporting operations for virtually all large industrial facilities.

10/2/25

Max Lopez

Why Protecting America’s Last Roadless Forests Matters More Than Ever

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced plans to repeal the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, a safeguard that for more than 20 years has protected more than 40 million acres of our most pristine national forests. ELPC is fighting back.

9/23/25

Kelly Thayer

ELPC Stands Up for Science, Fights to Protect the Endangerment Finding

ELPC submitted comments to EPA challenging the unlawful and misguided attempt to overturn this long-standing, science-backed finding.

9/23/25

A Victory Celebration for Environmental Justice

Chicago’s lakefront is for people and parks, not for toxic waste dumps.

9/22/25

Howard A. Learner

Ohio Rail Plan Ignores Passenger Rail

Ohioans want better passenger trains, and big plans are underway to build them, but the state plan is focused on freight

9/18/25

Derrick James

Four Ways We’re Fighting Air and Water Pollution in Northwest Indiana

We work to hold polluters accountable, reduce air and water pollution, and protect healthy communities; and we have been busy!

9/16/25

Kerri M. Gefeke

Coal Ash Cleanup Cannot Wait

ELPC testified to call for cleaning up hazardous sites, many located within two miles of the Great Lakes.

9/15/25

Nancy Stoner