Political Solutions
Clean power: The role of municipal electric utilities
In Illinois, 42 communities own electric utilities–many of which have become key customers for new coal plants in the Midwest. That contributes to the already growing problem of global warming and pollution from burning coal.
The Environmental Law & Policy Center is working to build a grassroots network inside and between communities to oppose investments in power from coal and to encourage significant investment in both renewable energy and energy efficiency. Want to help? Drop us a note using the Feedback link at the top of this page.
Several new coal plants, including Prairie State Generating Facility, a new 1500 MW coal-fired power plant in Southern Illinois, are expected to be financed by municipal electric utilities. Burning coal for power emits carbon dioxide, the leading cause 
of global warming. Coal power also emits pollutants including sulfur dioxide (causing acid rain), nitrogen oxides (causing smog), particulates (that worsen asthma and respiratory problems), and mercury (causing developmental problems and brain damage).
By investing instead in clean wind power and other renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements, municipal electric utilities can be part of the solution to our global warming, environmental and public health problems. Just as important to local officials, these investments can save money for utilities and customers over the long term.
Municipal electric utilities are serving many growing suburban communities with increasing electricity demand and will continue to be significant early customers for proposed new coal plants unless local opposition develops and clean energy alternatives are effectively presented. This growing demand presents both the threat that municipal electric utilities will enable new coal plants to be built and the opportunity to promote positive clean energy alternatives.
Learn more: Municipal electric utility FAQ
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March 19th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
wow this was a beautiful piece of work i really enjoyed reading it. Thank you so much you made me really undserstand the meaning of global warming
March 29th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
I completely agree with this article. Going green can be a profitable venture for big business in the long run… and I’m assuming all businesses want to be around for a long time :). Stopping global worming is a win-win proposition for everyone, I just wish that more people realized that and took initiative.
April 1st, 2008 at 10:26 am
this is so true are world is being destroyed because people want to be lazy and all these coal plants are just for people that want to get rich fast but they are destroying the earth and they do not care this peice is wonderful the person that wrote this article should be very proud