Background on the
Chicago Clean Power Ordinance

The Clean Power Ordinance was first introduced in April 2010. The measure gained support from a majority of the City Council but was denied a formal committee hearing until April 2011, when a vote was deferred to the current administration.

During that year of delay, Midwest Generation’s Fisk and Crawford plants pumped over 10,000 tons of sulfur dioxide, 2,500 tons of nitrogen oxides and 4.6 million tons of carbon dioxide into Chicago’s air. One year of pollution from Fisk and Crawford creates health damages that cost the public over $120 million, says the National Research Council.

In July of 2011 the Clean Power Ordinance was re-introduced by lead sponsors Ald. Joe Moore, Ward 49 and Ald. Danny Solis, Ward 25, and now has 35 co-sponsors.

Since then, the Chicago Clean Power Coalition’s coordinating committee has been working closely with Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who is bringing stakeholders to the table to seek resolution.  Through the efforts of Mayor Emanuel, lead sponsors of the Clean Power Ordinance, and the hundreds of individuals and organizations who have supported the work of the Chicago Clean Power Coalition and affected communities, resolution now appears possible.

It’s time to make your voice heard!  Call 311 and ask Mayor Emanuel to act quickly. On average, one person dies prematurely as a result of the pollution from these plants. Delaying action that would save lives and improve the quality of life for Chicagoans is not an option.

It’s Time to Set Retirement Dates for
Fisk and Crawford Coal Plants!

On Wednesday, February 15^th, local community members, environmental justice advocates, parents, students, environmentalists, public health experts, and labor representatives urged Mayor Rahm Emanuel to follow through with his commitment to clean up air pollution in Chicago by setting immediate retirement dates for the city’s two dirty coal plants.  More …

The War on Coal
Time Magazine

By Bryan Walsh / Chicago November 2011

Chicago’s old, polluting coal plants make national headlines!

New air pollution modeling shows Chicago in danger of toxic air

Study released by Sierra Club says those living closest to Chicago coal plants have higher health risks than previously thought.

Chicagoans want City to reduce the pollution from Fisk and Crawford

New polling says 72% of Chicago voters would support a plan that reduces soot pollution and carbon dioxide from Chicago coal plants.

Photo petition delivery to Mayor Emanuel

In December, supporters of the Clean Power Coalition delivered an 8′-tall photo petition with over 800 photos of City residents to City Hall with the message “I have the right to clean air”.