Chicago, IL — Illinois can start to transition to a clean energy economy, stop global warming and protect the environment with funding from President Obama’s proposed federal budget for 2010, according to a report released today by Environment Illinois.
“President Obama’s budget means a cleaner, greener, and more prosperous future for Illinois,” said Max Muller, Program Director at Environment Illinois.
The report, Vision 2010: President Obama’s Budget, Clean Energy and the Environment, estimates the proportion of the president’s proposed Fiscal Year 2010 federal budget that would be used to transition to clean energy by requiring global warming polluters to pay, clean up toxic waste, prevent water pollution, and spur clean energy businesses in Illinois.
Environment Illinois presented a map highlighting locations of clean energy industries that could benefit from the $150 billion over 10 years that President Obama’s budget would invest nationally in renewable energy such as wind and solar. The proposed budget sets the stage for a new energy plan for America that caps global warming pollution and drives the transformation to a clean energy economy. The map and report illustrated the following benefits for Illinois:
- $27.4 billion over 10 years from making polluters pay for global warming pollution, if the revenues are apportioned by population;
- $1.5 billion in Illinois taxpayer dollars that will no longer subsidize profits for Big Oil;
- 90 sewage treatment plants that exceeded clean water permits in 2005 could be eligible for a statewide total of $90.2 million in funding for repairs and upgrades; and
- 6 toxic waste sites could see accelerated clean up from reinstatement of a polluter pays fee expected to generate $17.2 billion in revenues over 10 years.
Environment Illinois pointed out that the latest global warming science means even deeper cuts in pollution in the next 10 years than the ones in the president’s budget will be required to prevent the catastrophic warming.
“Capping global warming pollution to the extent needed and ensuring that polluters pay is the right move for our environment and our economy but even this first step will face roadblocks from polluting interests,” said Muller.
The budget includes support for regional planning and transit-oriented development for livable communities. Urban areas well-served by mass transit emit on average 43 percent less, and up to 90 percent less, greenhouse gases from transportation than do poorly served sprawling areas.
“This is good urban policy too.” said Kathryn Tholin, CEO of the Center for Neighborhood Technology. “We applaud these initiatives and urge Congress and the Administration to move quickly to advance this budget.”
“As we approach Earth Day, Congress needs to hear from clean energy entrepreneurs, mayors and mothers, and all people who know the time to transition to a clean energy economy, protect our environment and stop global warming is now,” said Muller.
Click here to view the full report: "Vision 2010: President Obama's Budget, Clean Energy, & the Environment".
Environment Illinois is a statewide, non-profit, environmental advocacy organization.
