Chicago’s Largest Sources of Greenhouse Gases Are Its Coal-Fired Power Plants

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s new database allows the public to compare major sources of greenhouse gas emissions.  Chicago Tribune reporter Michael Hawthorne recently used it to conclude that the Chicago area’s largest sources are its coal-fired power plants.

Fed by a steady stream of coal barges, the aging power plants that loom over Chicago’s Little Village and Pilsen neighborhoods are by far the city’s largest industrial sources of climate change pollution.

No other polluter comes close to the 4.2 million metric tons of heat-trapping carbon dioxide churned into the atmosphere by the two coal plants in 2010, according to a new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency database that for the first time allows people to compare major industrial sources of greenhouse gases.

The city’s next biggest source, a heating plant at the University of Illinois at Chicago, trailed far behind. It emitted 132,000 metric tons.

About 6,700 power plants, refineries, steel mills and other major polluters are required under a 2008 federal law to provide detailed annual reports on their emissions of carbon dioxide and five other heat-trapping gases that contribute to climate change. The first results highlight the nation’s reliance on coal as an energy source and show why fossil fuel interests are lobbying fiercely to block federal and state efforts to limit the pollution.

Though burning oil and natural gas also releases greenhouse gases, coal plants account for all but four of the top 100 emitters nationwide and more than 70 percent of emissions from big industrial sources, according to a Tribune analysis of the EPA data.

The consequences of our energy production and consumption are examined in several Roosevelt courses, including SUST 210 The Sustainable Future (offered at Roosevelt’s downtown campus and online in Spring 2012), SUST 310 Energy and Climate Change (offered online this semester), and SUST 320 Sprawl, Transportation, and Planning (offered online this semester). For more information on these or any other of our courses, please visit our Sustainability Studies website, call 1-877-277-5978 (1-877-APPLY RU) or email applyRU@roosevelt.edu.

Spring Semester Starts Monday! Register for Sustainability Studies Courses!

If you are interested in taking Sustainability Studies courses at Roosevelt University, the new semester begins January 30. While the Honors section of SUST 210 begins on Tuesday, there is still time to register before the many other offerings begin. We have several options in the Spring 2012 term for students, including courses downtown, in Schaumburg, and online. Professor Mike Bryson will teach SUST 210 The Sustainable Future online, and we will also offer one section of SUST 210 at Roosevelt’s downtown Chicago campus taught by Michelle Hoffman-Trotter. As she did last summer, Hoffman-Trotter, esq. will teach an online offering of SUST 340 Policy, Law, and Ethics.

Maris Cooke will once again offer an online version of SUST 230 Food. Demand for this course is usually very strong, so it is best to register early to ensure space in the course. She will also offer a version of SUST 330 Biodiversity Saturdays at Roosevelt’s Schaumburg campus.

Once again, Dr. Carla Jones will offer an online section of SUST 310 Energy and Climate Change, and the program is excited to welcome David Morley of the American Planning Association, who will teach an online version of SUST 320 Sprawl, Transportation, and Planning.

Finally, we are pleased to debut SUST 350 Service and Sustainability this semester. Professor Bryson is organizing this course as a Wednesday afternoon offering. The initial meeting will take place in Roosevelt University’s Gage Building; thereafter, however, students will meet Wednesdays at the Chicago Lights Urban Farm. If you are interested in transformational service learning that encourages organic local food production in the middle of the city, this course promises to be a splendid experience.

Visit our faculty page to learn more about these teachers. If you are a currently-enrolled Roosevelt University student interested in taking one or more Sustainability Studies courses, please get in touch with your academic advisor. (As this autumn’s courses filled up quickly, we encourage you to register sooner rather than later.) If you are not currently a Roosevelt University student, we encourage you to investigate our degree options, and our course listings. For more information, please visit our Sustainability Studies website, call 1-877-277-5978 (1-877-APPLY RU) or email applyRU@roosevelt.edu.

Chicago Center for Green Technology Presents Discussion of the Greening of a Chicago Public School Saturday Morning.

This Saturday at 10am, the Chicago Center for Green Technology (445 N. Sacramento) presents architect Odile Compagnon discussing “Lincoln Elementary School’s Environmental Center: Construction and Featuresding Energy Bills.”

This seminar will tell the story of the planning, design, funding and construction, between 2005 and 2011, of an environmental addition to an historic Chicago Public School building. From the first grant application to the planting of a green roof by the school children, we will describe the process through which the academic curriculum and the building construction were conducted in parallel, involving the participation of the community, teachers, staff, school children and the collaboration of several organizations. The presentation will include a detailed discussion of the architectural features that turned this addition into a learning lab.

To register, click here.

Chicago Center for Green Technology Presents Discussion of Geothermal Heat Pumps Thursday Evening

Thursday evening at 6pm, the Chicago Center for Green Technology (445 N. Sacramento) presents Huajun Yuan of University of Illinois at Chicago speaking on “Geothermal Heat Pumps for Heating and Cooling Any Building Energy Bills.”

Geothermal heating and cooling is a well established technology which, although not widely used, can cut energy costs by 50% or more. There are additional capital costs, they can be recovered in as little as 5-6 years, while the expected life of these systems is at least 35 years. Efficiency, and payback, can be increased even further using waster and phase change materials. This seminar will discuss the application of this technology to both existing and retrofitted buildings.

To register, click here.

Green Roofing Seminar at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Wednesday Evening

Wednesday evening at 6pm, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (2430 N. Cannon Dr.) is hosting “Green Roofing for the Homeowner and DIY-er” with Molly Meyer of Rooftop Green Works.

Green roofing is an excellent way to bring nature into our urban environment. We’ll discuss the step-by-step considerations for projects, including structural analysis, leak detection and plant selection. You can also bring your own project ideas for the coming spring, and you will have the opportunity during Q&A to get expert advice on planning, carrying out and maintaining your own projects. Led by Molly Meyer, M.Sc., Green Roof Professional, LEED Green Associate, and owner of Rooftop Green Works.

To register e-mail adultprograms@naturemuseum.org or call 773-755-5100, Ext. 5028.

Spring Semester Starts Soon! Register for Sustainability Studies Courses!

If you are interested in taking Sustainability Studies courses at Roosevelt University, the new semester begins January 30. While the Honors section of SUST 210 begins on Tuesday, there is still time to register before the many other offerings begin. We have several options in the Spring 2012 term for students, including courses downtown, in Schaumburg, and online. Professor Mike Bryson will teach SUST 210 The Sustainable Future online, and we will also offer one section of SUST 210 at Roosevelt’s downtown Chicago campus taught by Michelle Hoffman-Trotter. As she did last summer, Hoffman-Trotter, esq. will teach an online offering of SUST 340 Policy, Law, and Ethics.

Maris Cooke will once again offer an online version of SUST 230 Food. Demand for this course is usually very strong, so it is best to register early to ensure space in the course. She will also offer a version of SUST 330 Biodiversity Saturdays at Roosevelt’s Schaumburg campus.

Once again, Dr. Carla Jones will offer an online section of SUST 310 Energy and Climate Change, and the program is excited to welcome David Morley of the American Planning Association, who will teach an online version of SUST 320 Sprawl, Transportation, and Planning.

Finally, we are pleased to debut SUST 350 Service and Sustainability this semester. Professor Bryson is organizing this course as a Wednesday afternoon offering. The initial meeting will take place in Roosevelt University’s Gage Building; thereafter, however, students will meet Wednesdays at the Chicago Lights Urban Farm. If you are interested in transformational service learning that encourages organic local food production in the middle of the city, this course promises to be a splendid experience.

Visit our faculty page to learn more about these teachers. If you are a currently-enrolled Roosevelt University student interested in taking one or more Sustainability Studies courses, please get in touch with your academic advisor. (As this autumn’s courses filled up quickly, we encourage you to register sooner rather than later.) If you are not currently a Roosevelt University student, we encourage you to investigate our degree options, and our course listings. For more information, please visit our Sustainability Studies website, call 1-877-277-5978 (1-877-APPLY RU) or email applyRU@roosevelt.edu.

Energy Programs for Illinois Consumers at Chicago Center for Green Technology Tuesday Evening

This Tuesday at 6pm, the Chicago Center for Green Technology (445 N. Sacramento) is hosting “Energy Programs for IL Consumers & Money Saving Tips on Energy Bills” featuring Anna Warnock of the Citizens Utility Board.

Join experts from the Citizens Utility Board (CUB), the country’s premiere utility watchdog group, for a discussion of everything consumers should know about their energy bills. You will find out about the latest energy programs and incentives in Illinois, hear about rebates and loans that can make you become more energy-efficient, learn how to calculate your own home’s carbon footprint and ways to reduce your energy bills costs.

To register, click here.

Internship Available at Alliance for a Greener South Loop

Professor Mike Bryson announces an internship opportunity for our majors.

The Alliance for a Greener South Loop is offering a competitive internship for this winter/spring to help perform research and website development on sustainability efforts and initiatives in the South Loop neighborhood of Chicago. The internship is unpaid, but may be undertaken for course credit (SUST 350) or on a volunteer basis, and offers a wealth of professional experience and networking opportunities for the intern.

I’ve arranged for SUST majors to have first crack at applying, before the call-for-applications goes out to RU students at large. Check out the details at the link below, and get in touch with me if you have questions! Applying would be quick and straightforward for those of you who’ve taken a few SUST classes.

Deadline for Application: Feb. 1st, 2012

For more information, see Professor Bryson’s discussion of the opportunity.

Illinois Solar Energy Production to Expand This Summer

The state’s production of solar energy is set to expand later this year.

Beginning in July, Commonwealth Edison Co. customers will receive more power from the sun, thanks to a solar project under way in LaSalle County.

The 23-megawatt project by Chicago-based Invenergy LLC, using technology fromGeneral Electric Co.’s renewable arm, will be the largest solar project in the Midwest. But the 4,000 homes powered represent a small footprint when compared with ComEd’s 3.8 million customers.

Under state law, utilities must receive one-half of 1 percent of their power from solar by 2012, with that total doubling each year (tripling between 2012 and 2013) until it reaches 6 percent in 2015.

The state has not reached its 2012 goal, said Arlene Juracek, head of the Illinois Power Agency, which procures electricity for state utilities. She said that though some businesses and homes receive power from solar panels on roofs, the Invenergy project will be the only utility-scale project in the state flowing power to ComEd customers.

“It’s an important first jump in meeting the solar goals that are in the act for the state,” she said.

Our energy production and consumption patterns are examined in several Roosevelt courses, including SUST 210 The Sustainable Future (offered at Roosevelt’s downtown campus and online in Spring 2012), SUST 310 Energy and Climate Change (offered online in Spring 2012), and SUST 320 Sprawl, Transportation, and Planning (offered online in Spring 2012). For more information on these or any other of our courses, please visit our Sustainability Studies website, call 1-877-277-5978 (1-877-APPLY RU) or email applyRU@roosevelt.edu.

John Norquist Discusses “Live/Work/Walk: Removing Obstacles to Investment” Today at 5pm

Former Milwaukee mayor John Norquist is speaking in Chicago today.