Prairie Rivers Network

Read the full op-ed: chicago.suntimes.com/other-views/20…

While legislation has been introduced to address threats posed by data centers, Illinois communities still remain vulnerable to other high-capacity water users.  Water is precious. We must protect it.

Over 80% of Illinois is in drought, with parts of 19 Central Illinois counties now in D3–Extreme Drought—which the @NOAA defines as “major crop/pasture losses; extreme fire danger; widespread water shortages or restrictions.”

"Illinois is dangerously dry. Decades of policy negligence have left the state unprepared, and the crisis is only beginning," writes Robert Hirschfeld, director of water policy at the nonprofit Prairie Rivers Network. chicago.suntimes.com/other-views/20…

Visitors received a first-hand account of Long’s home electrification journey and the benefits to his pocketbook, human health, and the climate. All left with tips, resources, and inspiration for beginning the transition away from gas in their own homes.

Over the last 15 years, Champaign resident Alex Long has transitioned his early 1900s home from natural gas to fully electrified. PRN, @IllinoisPIRG, @ILCleanJobs and other partners hosted 40+ visitors at Long’s home to learn how they could do the same.

We are excited to be supporting the POWER Act this legislative session in Springfield and to continue to advocate for Illinois communities over polluters. Read the press release from @ILCleanJobs: prairierivers.org/front-page/202…

Illinois communities should not be footing the bill for energy- and water-intensive data centers threatening our state’s climate goals, polluting our air, and consuming massive amounts of water.

This week in Champaign, PRN staff, @StateRepAmmons, the @ILCleanJobs, and other advocates came together to introduce the POWER Act—legislation that establishes nation-leading guardrails to protect our water, energy, and ratepayers from the threats of data centers.

Find the live stream here facebook.com/share/1HkEw61T…

Join Prairie Rivers Network and other advocates this morning during our live stream at 11am today as we introduce the POWER Act — legislation that establishes nation-leading guardrails to protect our water, energy, and ratepayers from the threats of data centers.

Last year the City of Rock Island initiated the process of protecting up to 600 acres of the Milan Bottoms wetlands complex through a conservation easement – permanently protecting these acres regardless of federal rollbacks.

“One thing we can say with certainty, as federal environmental regulations and funding falter, we are doubling down to ensure the state is doing its best to protect our water, our land, and our communities.”

“The recommendations outlined in the report that are needed to ensure that polluters pay for the proper clean-up of unplugged oil and gas wells will require action,” said PRN’s Amanda Pankau.

As our state pushes ahead on aggressive energy-related climate goals and we leave fossil fuel industries behind, it is even more critical that we continue working to ensure the legacy pollution of the past is cleaned up. But there’s another crisis brewing…