The Chainlink

Do you have the right to breathe clean air?

As cyclists we are more exposed than most to air pollution.  However I have some great news that will hopefully allow us to all breathe easier.
We are at a watershed moment. The Clean Power Ordinance has the support of the mayor and the majority of the aldermen. If passed, two of the oldest, dirtiest coal plants would be forced to clean up their act--protecting us all from deadly pollutants such as mercury and lead. The City Council will be voting in February so we need to make sure our voices are being heard! Please Call the Mayor's office today!!
Here's a link to the Clean Power Coalition's website to learn more about the plants and the ordinance.
Below are the contact details and a suggested script to make thing easier.
Message me afterwords to tell me how things went, I'm interested to hear your results.

Thanks so much everyone!!!  Here's to clean air for 2012!!!
_______

* Call City Hall:
311 (within Chicago)
312.744.5000 (outside Chicago)

* Ask to speak to Mayor Emanuel

"Hello, my name is _______, and I live in (neighborhood, Chicago). Every day I breathe the toxic pollution from the Fisk and Crawford coal plants in Chicago. (If you've been personally affected by the coal plants, please talk about that). I want you/Mayor Emanuel to stop delaying action on this issue and commit to pass the Clean Power Ordinance now."

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Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on January 9, 2012 at 12:58pm

Do you have the right to breathe clean air?

Yes.  

So, just call 311 (for us Chicagoans) and ask to speak to Rahm?  

Thanks for posting this, April.  There is some good info on the Clean Power Coalition's site, especially under the "Take Action" pull-down tab.  

Permalink Reply by Duppie on January 9, 2012 at 1:13pm

April,

It appears that the majority of aldermen is co-sponsoring this bill.The mayor is in favor. They'll vote in February.

So what is the issue? Are there any concerns that the vote will get delayed/cancelled?

Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on January 9, 2012 at 1:22pm

Really?  That's hilarious.  There is no telling what can happen between now and February -- this is Chicago, after all.  If more and more people speak out on this issue, can you see that having a negative impact somehow?   

Duppie said:

April,

It appears that the majority of aldermen is co-sponsoring this bill.The mayor is in favor. They'll vote in February.

So what is the issue? Are there any concerns that the vote will get delayed/cancelled?

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on January 9, 2012 at 1:23pm

The stench has been particularly awful lately-- could smell it inside at work one day last week.

It's like they've been running them at full capacity 24/7 to squeeze the last bit of usefulness out of them.

Some questions about the ordinance-- it looks like there are some deadlines spelled out for 2011-- will a revised version need to be prepared for city council to vote on?

Also, it looks like the fine is $5-10k for each day they exceed the limit-- could they just decided to pay the fines, and/or decrease daily production rather than make any substantial changes?

What is the likelihood the plants might get shut down instead of upgraded?

Permalink Reply by April on January 9, 2012 at 1:28pm

Duppie,

No, as of now there are no concerns of delay or cancellation.  It is true that the mayor and the majority of aldermen support the ordinance, however Midwest Generation does not want to change. It is more profitable for them to not update their century-old machinery and continue with business as usual. In the past they have brought teams of lawyers and thrown large amounts of money to avoid updates.  We don't have that kind of power.   We have something stronger--the will of the people.  Calls to the mayor's office from Chicagoans will continue to remind him and the council that we will hold them accountable for their actions and that clean air is important to their constituents.

Thanks everyone!!

April

Permalink Reply by April on January 9, 2012 at 1:30pm

h'4 those are really good questions.  I haven't read the entire text of the ordinance but it is posted on the coalition's website.  If you don't find your answers there,  I will bring your questions to the field team and get the answers for you.  You might also want to check the FAQ.  Hope this helps!  -April

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on January 9, 2012 at 1:42pm

Thanks, April. I read the whole ordinance before posting.

The coalition site is very nicely done but I'm not finding anything resembling an "FAQ."

April said:

h'4 those are really good questions.  I haven't read the entire text of the ordinance but it is posted on the coalition's website.  If you don't find your answers there,  I will bring your questions to the field team and get the answers for you.  You might also want to check the FAQ.  Hope this helps!  -April

Permalink Reply by S.Presley☠ on January 9, 2012 at 2:40pm

great news.

I like the picture... really drives it home. I remember you saying that is the shot you wanted.

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on January 9, 2012 at 2:41pm

Coal-powered playground.

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