Illinois Joins Global Warming Fight

By Kiyoshi Martinez
ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois is joining a growing list of states that are making their own policies on global warming, a trend that could create a patchwork of regulations.

In February, the governor tapped former Rockford mayor and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director Doug Scott to chair the Illinois Climate Change Advisory Group.

The 35-member commission has goals of cutting greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, and reduce them by an additional 60 percent by 2050.

Policies are supposed to be announced June 30.

For Illinois to substantially reduce its effect on global warming, it’ll have to look for ways to use less fossil fuels.

“Let’s just simply say that it’s an enormous challenge for humanity to wean ourselves away from nature’s gift,” said University of Illinois professor Michael Schlesinger, a member of the commission.

The combustion of fossil fuels contributes a majority of the greenhouse gases emitted in the state. This means any reduction in energy use will result in less emissions.

But it’s not a small task for Illinois. The state’s emissions rank fifth-highest in the nation and 26th-highest worldwide, according to the Illinois EPA.

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