Media Center

Governor Pritzker Pauses Data Center Tax Incentives, Outlines Path Forward for Consumer and Climate Protections [NRDC Response] 

June 5, 2026 ReactionIllinois

Governor Pritzker paused data center tax incentives today and laid out a policy framework to help Illinois address the impact of data centers on the environment and communities, in the wake of inaction from the Illinois General Assembly.

Minnesotans Overfill First Oversight Hearing on Polluter Capture

April 8, 2026 Press ReleaseMinnesota

For the first time in years, the Minnesota Senate held an oversight hearing on Polluter Capture – when polluting companies exert too much influence over how our Minnesota State government agencies do, or do not, enforce the law. Community members…

New NRDC Study: Cutting Food Waste in Illinois Could Add 14,000 Jobs and Grow the Economy

February 25, 2026 Press ReleaseChicago

A new study, commissioned by NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council), shows that Illinois can turn its trash into a major win for the state. By stopping food from rotting in landfills, Illinois can create thousands of jobs, grow the economy…

Customer-Facing Resources Could Mitigate Data Center Grid Impacts: Kansas Shows Us How

January 26, 2026 BackgrounderKansasMcKenna Beck

The state is proving that collaboration and innovation can create solutions that protect affordability, reliability, and our climate.

For the First Time in History, PJM Auction Fails to Procure Necessary Power Supply

December 17, 2025 Press ReleaseEast, Midwest

For the first time, PJM Interconnection failed to procure enough supply to meet expected future electricity demand.

Environmental Groups File for a Contested Case Hearing on Saline Data Center

November 20, 2025 Press ReleaseMichigan

Sierra Club, along with other environmental and utility watchdog groups, has officially filed for a contested case hearing with the Michigan Public Service Commission objecting to a fast-track approval for DTE Electric’s contracts to serve a massive data center in…

New Data Center Tax Exemption Guidelines Sidestep Clean Energy Requirements

November 18, 2025 Press ReleaseMichigan

In a letter to the board of the Michigan Strategic Fund, environmental and utility watchdog groups are requesting revisions of recently released guidelines for data center tax exemptions that do not currently comply with Michigan law.

Michigan Establishes New Rate for Large Energy Users Like Data Centers

November 6, 2025 Press ReleaseMichigan

The Michigan Public Service Commission announced a new tariff directed at new heavy energy users, such as data centers, in the Consumers Energy territory.

Rising Demand from Data Centers Driving Reliability, Cost Concerns

October 22, 2025 Press ReleaseIllinois, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey

Experts warn residents in PJM states could see forced blackouts and $163 billion in additional electricity capacity costs hitting power bills from 2028-2033.

Michigan’s Opportunity to Cash In on Waste

June 10, 2025 BackgrounderMichiganAndrea Collins

A proposed increase to Michigan’s waste disposal surcharge could fund recycling and waste prevention efforts—especially food waste reduction—throughout the state.

Investments Needed to Protect Michiganders from High Energy & Water Utility Bills

February 4, 2025 Press ReleaseMichigan

Governor Whitmer’s annual budget presentation is expected to include some upcoming investments available for Michigan households.

Environmental Leaders Highlight How Michiganders Are Tackling Climate Change on Earth Day

April 22, 2022 Press ReleaseMichigan

Michigan leaders held an Earth Day event to highlight some of the most pressing environmental issues for the state.

Lightfoot Administration Announces Denial of General Iron Permit

February 18, 2022 Press ReleaseChicago

The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced today that it has denied RMG/General Iron’s operating permit bringing an end to a years-long struggle between Southeast Side residents and the massive metal shredding operation that sought to relocate from Lincoln…

Delivering Zero Emissions Communities Program Announces Winning Cities

August 23, 2021 Press ReleaseChicago, San Diego, San Jose (California)

Chicago, San Diego, and San José have won spots in the newly-launched Delivering Zero Emissions Communities program. Through this one-year accelerator program, the cities will join with community partners to take bold, concrete, and immediate action toward the goal of…

NRDC’s Derrell Slaughter Appointed to Michigan’s Council on Climate Solutions

February 3, 2021 Press ReleaseMichigan

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced today the appointment of Derrell Slaughter to the Council on Climate Solutions. Slaughter is the Michigan Clean Energy Advocate for NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) and currently serves on the Ingham County Board of Commissioners as…

Gov. Whitmer Issues Most Ambitious Action on Climate in the Midwest, Advocates Call for Additional Community Centered Climate Solutions

September 23, 2020 Press ReleaseMichigan

Gov. Whitmer issued an executive order today that commits Michigan to the most ambitious path to combat the climate crisis in the Midwest to date. The order sets a goal of dramatically cutting carbon pollution and achieving carbon-neutrality across the…

IEPA Approves General Iron’s Move from Affluent Lincoln Park to Vulnerable Community of Color

June 25, 2020 Press ReleaseChicago

The Illinois EPA today granted a permit allowing the notorious polluter, General Iron, to move its operation from the affluent Lincoln Park neighborhood to the working class community of color in Chicago’s Southeast Side.

Southeast Siders Call on Mayor Lightfoot for Moratorium on Any Approvals for Metals Recyclers During Pandemic

May 29, 2020 Press ReleaseChicago

Southeast Side residents are calling on Mayor Lightfoot to place a moratorium during the pandemic on all approvals needed for the construction or operation of new or expanded metal recycling facilities. General Iron, the notorious Lincoln Park metal shredder that…

Southeast Side Groups React To General Iron Incident

May 18, 2020 Press ReleaseChicago

A coalition of community groups fighting the relocation of a controversial metal shredding operation from the North Side of Chicago to the Southeast Side of the city had a very simple reaction to the explosions that rocked the General Iron facility earlier today:  “Don’t…

Illinois Congressional Members Call for Action on Brain Poison Polluting Chicago’s SE Side

February 22, 2019 Press ReleaseIllinois

Illinois Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth and Representative Robin Kelly delivered a letter to the US EPA calling for aggressive action against the Watco facility on Chicago’s Southeast Side, a source of dangerously high levels of neurotoxic manganese. A…