Energy and the Environment
Our over reliance on fossil fuels have put ourselves at risk.  Greenhouse gases continue to increase the effects of global warming, which will affect our lives, our environment, and our economies. Illinois is the 6th largest contributor to global warming in the state and this must be reversed. The end of cheap oil has arrived as we get closer to the peak of oil production.  We must act now to prepare for its effects.

Renewable Energy
We need to drastically increase the percentage of renenwable energy in our generation. I support a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) which would require a certain percentage of a utility's energy production to come from clean, reneable energy.  Currently, there is a non-mandatory RPS in Illinois which has had no effect. Ameren's monthly power bill shows that 0% of its generation comes from renewables. Since both Governor Blagojevich and Representative Jakobsson have received campaign contributions from utilities, they have found it difficult to put any pressure on them. Unlike these fossil-fueled politicians, I support substantial fines on utlites that fail to comply.  These fines must be large enough to encourage renewable installations, while providing the state with enough funds to build additional renewable capacity. Those utilities that do not even make an attempt at compliance should lose their ability to add non-renewable capacaity. The utility rate freezes will be lifted in January, 2007 causes estimated electricity rate increases of 20-40%. Neither the environment or the people of Illinois get anything out of this. If the utlities want to raise rates, then they must accept the RPS.

I also support neter metering, which allows meters to run backwards when a building is generating more than it is consuming. It greatly improves the ecomomics of small, distributed renewable energy systems and provides an incentive for installing renewable energy.

Energy Efficiency in Buildings
Buildings are responsible for 35% of the nation's energy usage. We can reduce this by using energy efficient techniques and technologies.  I support requiring LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certificication in public buildings. Illinois recently instituted an energy code for commercial buildings.  I support extending this to residential construction.  This will save homeowners money and reduce energy consumption.

With the leadership of Green state representative John Eder, Maine recently passed legislation requiring landlords to provide information about a unit's energy efficiency. I encourage a similar provision for Illinois which would enable tenants to make informed decisions and encourage land lords to implement energy efficient projects.

I also support smart growth legislation that would encourage the environment and community to be considered during development.

Transportation
Automobiles contribute a considerable amount to our greenhouse gas contribution. Also, the end of cheap oil is evident as gas prices rise and the peak of oil production comes closer in view. We need to encourage efficient automobiles and renewable fuels to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, reduce our contribution to global warming, and prepare for the end of cheap oil. I support rebates for efficient automobiles and fees on the most inefficient automobiles - with consideration for its effects on lower income drivers. Weak federal CAFE standards force competent states to take the lead.  I support an Illinois CAFE standard that is more strict than the watered down federal standards.

We need to shift our automobile fuel away from gasoline. Biomass is an excellent resource for Illinois.  Perennial grasses, like miscanthus, could provide much of our fuel in the form of cellulosic ethanol. The University of Illinois is already researching this possiblity, but we need to provide research funding to develop this promising fuel. This could significantly decrease our greenhouse gas emissions and reduce reliance on foreign oil while using Illinois resources.

We spend exhorbinant amounts of money on road construction, encouraging automobile usage.  We must put more focus on mass transportation, like light rail.

The bicycle is one of the cleanest forms of transporation, in addition to its positive health effects. We must encourage bicycle use by creating safe bicycle routes and relieving municipal fears of liability.
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