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VW pollution settlement program draws praise from enviros, business groups

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Illinois

* Press release…

Gov. Bruce Rauner and Illinois EPA Director Alec Messina launched the “Driving a Cleaner Illinois” program today, aimed at improving air quality in the state by primarily removing old diesel engines from service.

This program makes way for cities, schools, transit agencies, and private businesses to submit project ideas to the Illinois EPA detailing how they will replace the old engines with newer, more environmentally friendly options.

“Taking old diesel engines off our streets and out of our rail yards will lead to better air-quality for all of us,” Gov. Rauner said. “The projects that will be funded in this first round will provide benefits to the most sensitive populations, including school children and residents in areas that do not meet federal air quality standards.”

The “Driving a Cleaner Illinois” program is funded through a recent $108 million allocation to the state of Illinois from the Volkswagen (VW) Settlement.

The Illinois EPA is opening the first round of funding with $20 million for government-owned commuter rail and government-owned public transit bus projects in the Chicago Metropolitan area, which has the highest population and most robust public transportation networks in the state.

Subsequent funding rounds will include other areas of the state that were affected by the VW vehicles, including the Metro-East St. Louis area along with Champaign, DeKalb, LaSalle, McLean, Peoria, Sangamon and Winnebago Counties.

“Commuter rail projects will remove some of the oldest, dirtiest diesel engines in Illinois from service,” said Illinois EPA Director Alec Messina. “Funding replacement of transit buses will promote all-electric and alternate fuel technology and funding for electric school buses will protect the public health of some of our most vulnerable Illinoisans.”

“The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is striking the right balance in its implementation of the VW plan,” said Todd Maisch, President and CEO of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. “Leveraging investments in new transportation infrastructure and heavy industry while maximizing emissions reductions will drive much needed investments in Illinois communities and goes a long way in making our environment even cleaner. The Illinois Chamber of Commerce applauds the IEPA for their efforts.”

Mark Denzler, Vice-President & COO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, stated, “The IMA is pleased that Governor Rauner and the Illinois EPA have devised a thoughtful strategy to utilize the VW Settlement funds to get the best bang for the buck through future emission reductions.”

The Illinois EPA is also proposing to fund an electric school bus pilot project in Cook County. Electric school buses are a relatively new technology and a pilot project will provide school districts with information on the potential for future use. The Illinois EPA is proposing to spend more than any other state on electric school buses, an additional $9 million in future funding rounds.

Jen Walling, Executive Director of the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC), voiced support for the program stating, “The proposed VW final settlement plan set out by IEPA will kick start electrification of the transportation sector. Electrifying the transportation sector leverages our increasingly clean energy-powered grid to clean our air, lower carbon emissions, and improve health conditions for the most vulnerable. The Illinois Environmental Council is especially excited about the plan’s carve-out for electric school buses, which will protect young children from air pollution. IEC thanks Governor Rauner and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for working with environmental advocates and environmental justice communities on this final VW settlement plan.”

* ELPC…

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency today released its final plan for spending the state’s $107 million share of the $2.7 billion Volkswagen Mitigation Trust funds. The Environmental Law & Policy Center has been active in discussions about the plan. Al Grosboll, ELPC’s Legislative Director and Senior Policy Advocate, said in response to the final plan:

“The Environmental Law & Policy Center is supportive of specific components in the Illinois EPA plan,” Grosboll said. “While ELPC will continue to raise some questions about the Agency’s plan, we are pleased the IEPA included funding for electric school buses and electric charging stations for light-duty vehicles. The inclusion of these programs reflects the Agency’s responsiveness to citizen requests and environmental concerns.”

* ICJC…

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) released its final plan today to invest the $108 million settlement the state received from Volkswagen. The plan was revised after advocates called for more public input in the process.

The revised plan includes a significant increase in investments toward electric vehicle charging infrastructure, a reduction in administrative costs, and prioritizes public transit, including electric school buses.

Statement from the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition (ICJC):

“The plan the IEPA released today gives Illinois the opportunity invest VW settlement money to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and the electrification of mass transit systems, resulting in jobs, consumer savings, and cleaner, healthier air.

“This investment in electric vehicles will further develop the state’s clean energy economy and add to the economic and health benefits the state is already experiencing from the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA). The Volkswagen settlement provides Illinois with a unique opportunity to shift the focus of our state’s transportation economy toward cleaner, cheaper and more reliable technology. As the clean transportation sector continues to boom across the country, Illinois must position itself as a leader in this new sector that has the potential to transform our state’s economy.”

* Excerpt from the Pritzker campaign press release…

“Bruce Rauner has consistently failed to protect the environment, gutting environmental protections and showing complete disregard for the Illinois communities he is hurting,” said Pritzker campaign spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. “This is insult to injury from a failed governor who has been absent in the national fight to resist Donald Trump’s devastating policies and has unleashed his own attacks on the environment in Illinois.”

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 11:50 am

Comments

I can breathe easier knowing this.

Comment by BlueDogDem Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 11:54 am
As an added bonus Rivian gets to meet their hiring number for the 50,000,000 dollar edge grant
By hiring car parkers
To park the cars ( VW’s) at their Bloomington plant DCEO “gave” them.
It’s a win win because the collected fees for parking and storing the cars allows
Rivian to hold off producing
A prototype
Which Rivian has been promising since 2009.

Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 12:07 pm
The Pritzker people are so fatalistic. for crying out loud

Comment by I don't have a job Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 12:12 pm
Maybe someone should tell JB that his friends at IEC, Sierra Club, and NRDC signed off and supported the fracking bill and the VW bill.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 12:21 pm
“Bruce Rauner has consistently failed to protect the environment,” decries JB campaign staff from their private jet.

Comment by City Zen Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 12:24 pm
–The “Driving a Cleaner Illinois” program is funded through a recent $108 million allocation to the state of Illinois from the Volkswagen (VW) Settlement.–

Not even a mention from Rauner of the AG office that brought the suit? Classy guy.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 12:25 pm
Tip: Writing a statement that starts with saying you are pleased puts focus on yourself and not the action you are pleased with.

Comment by Not It Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 12:27 pm
===puts focus on yourself and not===

Um, that’s a feature, not a bug.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 12:28 pm
At this rate, Pritzker may be forced to get specific re: his tax plan

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 12:38 pm
No mention of the environment around Willowbrook…

Comment by Cocoa Dave Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 12:41 pm
Buried the lead from JB: Reality check…tries to take credit for the work of others today…let’s take a look at his real record…failure.

It’s spot on messaging that honors work of enviros and businesses but differentiates clearly the candidates.

Comment by Hamilton Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 12:45 pm
Now if we can get Prius drivers to recognize the 12,000 mile toxic diesel trail that delivered their “environmental” car from Japan, our air could be even cleaner.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 12:45 pm
It sounds like Jordan doesn’t know who to swing at? Just swing at something…..

Comment by Wylie Coyote Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 12:49 pm
Wonder what the plans really are for the Bloomington VW graveyard? Any of this $$$ set aside for the eventual clean up will be needed as this cars bake in sun, etc. just askin’

Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 12:54 pm
=Now if we can get Prius drivers to recognize the 12,000 mile toxic diesel trail that delivered their “environmental” car from Japan, our air could be even cleaner.=
Not to mention the GOP constituent oil companies that miss out on the revenues over the lives of the Priui, Zero MC’s, Leaf(ves).

Comment by DOD Oil Warrior Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 12:59 pm
Several State lawmakers, including Sen. Castro, deserve credit for pressing the Rauner Administration to open up the planning process. Amid growing criticism that the spending plan was being developed behind closed doors, IEPA agreed to hold three public meetings in May to solicit input on how and where the VW settlement money should be allocated. It looks like a good balance was struck for distributing the money.

Comment by Going nuclear Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 1:11 pm
Maybe they could use some of the money to upgrade the Metra system.

Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 1:14 pm
To Honeybear, Rivian has said they are unveiling prototypes in Nov at the LA Auto Show. Granted they ARE keeping a lot behind the curtain, but they are not going away by a long shot. (FYI I don’t have any $$ riding on them or have any financial interest in the company) https://cleantechnica.com/2018/08/26/electric-revolution-rivian-automotive-our-interview-with-rj-scaringe/

Comment by cleanairguy Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 10:20 am
Also - Amanda Vinicky highlighted that while the VW plan was praised around the table, she also noted that IEPA is also still working to make it easier for Dynegy/Vistra to close its cleanest coal power plants and run the dirtier ones harder, increasing emissions. And that could easily negate benefits of VW funded clean vehicles. https://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2018/08/29/how-illinois-spending-its-vw-settlement-windfall

Comment by cleanairguy Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 10:25 am