Illinois

ENN

Habitat homes achieve efficiency and affordability

As energy efficiency advocates press for tougher energy codes in Minnesota, Illinois and elsewhere, they're pointing to affordable housing supporters such as Habitat for Humanity to help make their case.

7 May 2012
ENN

ALEC disclosure language in Illinois fracking bill

Hydraulic fracturing rules moving through the Illinois Statehouse this session have taken their cue from model legislation supported by an influential conservative think tank.

By Greenwire . 3 May 2012
ENN

Chicago coal plants to shut down sooner than expected

Chicago’s two coal plants will close earlier than expected, according to a May 2 announcement by the company Midwest Generation, with both plants closing this fall.
Photo by Rainforest Action Network via Creative Commons

By Kari Lydersen . 2 May 2012
ENN

Report sees dim prospects for Illinois coal plants

Two months after the parent company of Midwest Generation told investors it may shut down all its coal plants in Illinois, a new study by the Sierra Club says the plants aren’t necessary for grid reliability, and won’t be profitable to run under new pollution rules.

By Kari Lydersen . 30 April 2012
ENN

Wind's 'modular' advantage over power plants

A Northwestern University professor says because wind power investments can be built up gradually over time, they may have a potential advantage over large, conventional power plants.

17 April 2012
ENN

Biomass, geothermal replacing coal on campuses

Michigan State University will vote today on an energy plan to transition to 100 percent renewable power, which would make it part of a growing number of college campuses moving away from coal.
Photo via the Sierra Club

By Dan Haugen . 13 April 2012
ENN

How are renewable standards faring in state legislatures?

State legislatures across the region have been considering several proposals related to renewable portfolio standards. With sessions winding down for the year, we decided to check in to see how the policies are faring.
Photo by Joe Gratz via Creative Commons

6 April 2012
ENN

Cities aim to cut red tape for solar installers

The time and money it takes installers to file for local permits is estimated to account for up to 20 percent of the cost of a solar installation, and a national effort in more than two dozen cities hopes to bring more convenience and consistency into the process.
Photo by madjalapeno via Creative Commons

4 April 2012
ENN

When coal plants shut down, what happens next?

As decades-old coal plants in urban areas go dark in coming years, environmental groups, city planners, elected officials and local residents are turning their attention from the health and environmental impacts of the plants’ emissions to the future of these sites.
Photo by Steven Vance via Creative Commons

By Kari Lydersen . 20 March 2012
ENN

Report: Tough building codes save homeowners thousands

A recent study suggests the costs of complying with Illinois' new building code are less than what some builders fear, and that the payback for homeowners is much greater.

6 March 2012