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.