News & Commentary

Greater Energy Equity Ahead, in both Maryland and Virginia

May 25, 2023 Expert BlogVirginia, Maryland, Richmond (Virginia)Walton Shepherd, Lucy LaFlamme, Dawone Robinson

New state laws in MD and VA will lower spiking electric bills for those least able to afford them, through better-designed home energy efficiency improvements.

Community Science Is Changing How People Can Fight Pollution

May 23, 2023 PerspectivesHouston, Texas, St. Louis, Missouri, Chicago, IllinoisCourtney Lindwall

Grassroots groups are collecting their own pollution data to increase accountability and demand environmental justice.

Sentenced to Sickness: Dirty Water Persists in Vienna Prison

May 17, 2023 Expert BlogIllinoisSahana Rao, Ihab Mikati, Meleah Geertsma

Illinois Needs to Address Transportation Pollution—Not Widen I-55

May 15, 2023 Expert BlogIllinois, ChicagoMeghan Hassett, J.C. Kibbey

Illinois has a transportation pollution problem. Expanding I-55 would only worsen it, putting vulnerable communities at risk.

Earth Day Should Be Every Day!

April 21, 2023 Expert BlogChicago, United StatesChakena D. Perry

Four Chicago students share why clean water and air are human rights.

Elevate and METEC Collaborate on Peoria Home Updates

April 17, 2023 Expert BlogPeoriaAlyssa Brown, Selena Kyle

This is the ninth blog in a series celebrating the grant projects funded through our Clean Air Act settlement with the owners of the E.D. Edwards coal-fired power plant outside Peoria, Illinois.

Leveling the Playing Field Toward an Equitable Clean Freight Trucks Transition

April 11, 2023 Expert BlogChicago, San Diego, San Jose (California)Sarah Elkotbeid

Our climate and health crises are so vast and complex, we have to change the way we tackle our problems to move the needle. The Delivering Zero Emissions Communities (DZEC) clean truck accelerator program is exploring new models.

Communities First: Equity and Justice in the Just Transition

March 29, 2023 Expert BlogPeoria, United StatesClaudia Blanco Nuñez, Josh Axelrod

Without actions promoting equity and justice throughout the process, the renewable energy transition will fail to earn the trust of frontline communities.

"Natural" Gas Is Expensive and Dangerous. We Can Do Better.

February 18, 2023 Expert BlogIllinoisJ.C. Kibbey

Large gas utilities in Illinois are pushing for a historically large rate increase. Now is the time to make the switch to cleaner home appliances.

Fresh Water Through Lead Pipes

February 17, 2023 Expert BlogIllinois, ChicagoGina Ramirez

Though Chicago is known as "the Fresh Coast," for some Chicagoans, the water that flows through their pipes doesn't have the same reputation.

Illinois Should Lead on Getting the Lead Out of Our Water

February 17, 2023 Expert BlogIllinoisChakena D. Perry

Governor Pritzker’s speech missed an opportunity to outline a plan to protect Illinois children.

Mining for Limestone on Chicago’s Southeast Side? Residents Gear Up for a Fight (Again).

February 17, 2023 DispatchIllinois, ChicagoSusan Cosier

A proposal to build an underground facility on a contaminated lot is yet another reason the city needs to address the cumulative impacts of industry on communities.

Supercharge EmPOWER to Ensure No Marylander Gets Left Behind

February 16, 2023 Expert BlogMarylandDeron Lovaas, Sam Whillans

Creating a low-income energy savings target can ensure that Maryland’s energy efficiency program works toward equity—not against it.

New Year, New Opportunity to Get The Lead Out of Our Water

February 6, 2023 Expert BlogIllinoisAngela Guyadeen, Chakena D. Perry

The slow pace of lead service line replacement has serious public health consequences. Will 2023 be the year Illinois accelerates its lead service line replacement work?

Prioritize Environmental Justice in Chicago

January 31, 2023 Expert BlogIllinois, ChicagoGina Ramirez

We need a real commitment to ensure that environmental racism will not be tolerated in Chicago.

Breathing Easier at Home: Q&A on Going Electric in Chicago

January 17, 2023 Expert BlogIllinois, ChicagoGina Ramirez, Valeria Rincon

A new analysis reveals that electrifying household appliances could save Chicago residents thousands of dollars and help them breathe cleaner air.

How the American Rescue Plan Can Transform Chicago

December 19, 2022 Expert BlogIllinois, ChicagoGina Ramirez

From reducing pollution burden to reducing gas bills, the Recovery Plan represents an opportunity for Chicago to reach its emissions reductions goals while improving lives.

Towards a Just Transition in Peoria

December 16, 2022 Expert BlogIllinois, PeoriaAlyssa Brown, Selena Kyle, Jared Knicley

As the E.D. Edwards plant closes, let’s celebrate the amazing work that Peoria-area groups have been doing.

Equitable Building Decarbonization Across the Country: 2022

December 14, 2022 Expert BlogCalifornia, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, OregonCaroline Keicher, Joe O'Brien-Applegate

Policies and programs aimed at new construction and existing buildings continue to gain traction as communities and elected officials realize the feasibility and benefits of ambitious and equity-centered action.

Celebrating Mid-Atlantic and Southeast Food Matters Cohorts

December 9, 2022 Expert BlogBaltimore, Jersey City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C.Madeline Keating, Darby Hoover

This month, we mark the successful completion of our two-year partnerships with the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast cohorts. Our work with Great Lakes cities will continue in 2023.