Sierra Club Sangamon Valley Group

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD FOR THE MAHOMET AQUIFER RECHARGE AREAS!

Almost exactly a year ago, we celebrated the passage of state legislation protecting the Mahomet Aquifer from carbon sequestration. Now, One Earth Energy, an ethanol plant on the edge of Gibson City, is close to receiving U.S. EPA approval to inject 90 million metric tons of carbon dioxide into the recharge area of the Mahomet Aquifer.

Three draft permits were issued on August 18, and the U.S. EPA has laid out a public engagement process that falls woefully short, with a hearing on September 22nd in Gibson City and public comments due the following day (9/23).

This timeline is not acceptable. Our partners at Eco-Justice Collaborative have created a petition to extend the public comment period by 10 days to allow for a proper evaluation of the draft permits and to develop formal written comments.

Sign the petition today and stand up for clean water! https://ecojusticecollaborative.org/demand-epa-extend-its-comment-period-for-one-earths-carbon-storage-project/

Feeling confused about energy storage? Not sure why it matters or whether it’s good or bad? This is your chance to get the real facts and ask the questions that matter to you and your neighbors. September 10 from 6-7:30PM.

Expert panelists will break down how battery energy storage systems work, how they support a more reliable and affordable grid, and what benefits they bring to our communities. They’ll also cover how the new statewide framework, the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA), impacts storage projects, what the safety record and standards actually are, and what the new Illinois law requires at the local level.

https://tinyurl.com/Battery-Storage-101

Join the and for a virtual session that will cover what energy storage is and how it can support Illinois communities.

👟 IDOT/Lost Bridge Trail: accessible 3-mile walk on Wednesday, July 29th from 5:30PM to 7PM!

While not a Sierra Club event, “Central Illinois Walking and Hiking Meetup'' is hosting. The first section has a hill, then it flattens out for the remainder of the trail. Will go out for 30-40 minutes or so, then retrace the path. 🌱

🐶 Leashed dogs are welcome.
If you are interested in participating, RSVP on the Meetup website or app!:
https://meetu.ps/e/Q6tWb/CQ82d/i

Our precious wilderness areas are under threat by the Trump Administration and we need your help! Please take a couple of minutes and let the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service know that our wild spaces are for the publics enjoyment--not for private profit.

Take action to defend America's wilderness We have until August 14 to speak up for the wild places we love. Submit a comment today to defend America’s wilderness!

Virginia's Henrico County, home to 37 data centers, has asked teachers and other county employees to conserve electricity after learning its power bill will rise 25% starting July 1, adding an estimated $5 million in annual costs.

Staff were instructed to turn off lights and computers, unplug unused devices, and avoid space heaters.

👟 Lincoln Memorial Gardens inaccessible walk SE of Springfield on Tuesday, June 30th from 5:30PM to 7PM!

While not a Sierra Club event, “Central Illinois Walking and Hiking Meetup'' is hosting a 3.5-4 mile walk over well-maintained woodchipped paths and the prairie. 🌱

🐶 Dogs are not welcome.
If you are interested in participating, RSVP on the Meetup website or app!:

meetu.ps

Let's get LOUD on Saturday! Join us at the Lincoln Statue at the Capitol at noon for a rally for the POWER Act!. We'll make sure our legislators know we want guardrails around data centers and we want them NOW!

Saturday May 30th. In Springfield. There is a great lineup of speakers and it should be a beautiful day for making some noise!

POWER Act Lobby Day Rally - Poster.pdf

👟 Southwind Park walk in Springfield on Tuesday, June 2nd from 10:30AM to 12:30PM.

While not a Sierra Club event:
“Central Illinois Walking and Hiking Meetup” is hosting an accessible 3 mile meander! 🌲

☀️ Open sidewalks, bring sunscreen as needed. Leashed pets are welcome. Optional lunch afterwards at Motorheads Route 66. If you are interested in participating, RSVP on the Meetup website or app!

meetu.ps

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CYpvvenkS/

April was the second warmest on record in Illinois and one of the wettest as well. What else is in store as we move toward late spring and summer? Join the Mining Issues Team for "Dangerous Acts: High Emissions=Hot Days". State Climatologist Dr. Trent Ford, will talk about climate change in Illinois and we'll also discuss the connection between policy and our changing climate. May 20th, 6:30 pm on Zoom. https://tinyurl.com/Dangerous-Acts