By Jeff Gahris
If you want to explore a complete guide to clean energy policy, from the international level down to the Chicago region, this is the place to start. Tim Milburn begins his presentation with the basics of climate change, then transitions into what happened at COP-26, specifically, the aggressive goals that parties agreed to reduce greenhouse gases and how to do it fairly. Tim then dives deep into the national policy in the U.S., including the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), covering programs affecting transportation, power and energy, climate resiliency, drinking and wastewater, western water storage, and access to broadband Internet.
Next, Tim explores the intricacies of the Clean Energy Jobs Act, the bold and nation-leading legislation recently enacted in Springfield to put Illinois on the path to 50% clean energy by 2040.
Finally, Tim covers the metropolitan planning process and the recently published Climate Action Plan for the Chicago Region, as well as the Greenest Region Compact, which has been signed by 140 individual communities in Northeast Illinois. Near the end of his presentation, Tim skillfully demonstrates a true policy alignment from international level down to the regional level. Perhaps the takeaway is the importance of local action. Steps required to address climate change, Tim argues, will be taken at the local level. His final slide is clear enough: “Use your voice!” This is how we make a difference.
This program may be viewed on our YouTube channel. While you are there, please check out our February program on mussels and water quality in DuPage County rivers.
Contact Tim Milburn at Tim.Milburn@Outlook.com.
For a pdf of his slides, send a request to jgahris@gmail.com
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