Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Energy and the Environment
Durbin, Kirk Statement on BP Whiting Refinery Oil Spill into Lake Michigan
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) today released the following statement after learning that an unknown amount of oil from BP's Whiting refinery in Indiana spilled into Lake Michigan. Earlier today, Durbin spoke with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy and EPA Region 5 Administrator Susan Hedman about the spill. "We cannot be too careful when it comes to protecting the health and safety of Lake Michigan … Continue Reading
March 17, 2014
Durbin, Foster Applaud Opening of Argonne Energy Sciences Building
[ARGONNE] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Bill Foster (D-IL-11) today attended the dedication ceremony for Argonne National Laboratory's new Energy Sciences Building. Construction on the $95 million building was funded through the U.S. Department of Energy's Science Laboratories Infrastructure Program. The facility is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold building. "With its caliber of work, quality of people and boldness of mission, … Continue Reading
March 05, 2014
Durbin: Obama Budget Preserves Funding for Innovation & Research at Argonne National Lab & Fermilab
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said the budget that President Obama delivered to Congress today preserves essential federal funding for scientific research and development programs that support work at both Argonne National Laboratory and Fermilab. The President's budget request includes $5.1 billion for the Department of Energy's Office of Science, which is the primary funding source for both Argonne National Laboratory and Fermilab. Together, Argonne and Fermilab employ roughly 4,600 … Continue Reading
March 04, 2014
Durbin, Kirk Statement on FEMA Denial of Public Assistance for Nine Illinois Counties
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) today released the following statement after learning that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) denied Illinois' appeal of the agency's original decision not to award Public Assistance funding to the nine Southern and Central Illinois counties that are rebuilding after deadly tornadoes struck the state on November 17, 2013. Though more than $21 million in federal aid through FEMA's Individual Assistance program has … Continue Reading
February 27, 2014
Durbin, Kirk, Schock Press for Public Assistance Funding in Meeting with FEMA Administrator
In a meeting with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator, Craig Fugate, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) and U.S. Representative Aaron Schock (R-IL) today pressed once again for a public assistance designation that would allow federal aid funding to flow to the nine Southern and Central Illinois counties that are rebuilding after deadly tornadoes struck the state on November 17, 2013. During today's meeting, the members shared their concerns … Continue Reading
February 06, 2014
Durbin Announces More Than $4.5 Million in Funding For Energy Efficiency Projects in Chicagoland
WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded $4,592,900 in Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) funding to MicroLink Devices, based in Niles, Illinois, and Gas Technology Institute based in Des Plaines, Illinois. MicroLink Devices will receive $3,600,000 in funding and Gas Technology Institute will receive $992,900 in funding. The funding will be used to develop new solar energy converters and storage systems … Continue Reading
January 30, 2014
Durbin: Senate Passes Bill that Will Allow Metro East to Avoid High Flood Insurance Premiums While Upgrading Levees
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today said that the Flood Insurance legislation that passed the Senate today will allow Metro East, Illinois officials to take steps to avoid unreasonably high flood insurance premiums while the community is working to upgrade the region's levee system. The Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act aims to help communities qualify for lower rates if they are in the process of constructing or reconstructing flood protection systems. Three Metro East counties - … Continue Reading
January 28, 2014
Durbin Statement on President Obama's State of the Union Address
Washington, D.C. - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today following President Obama's State of the Union address: "Tonight the President gave an optimistic speech about opportunity for American families, an economy on the rise and leveled a call to action to ensure this is a year of progress for the middle class." "From programs to grow the economy and create jobs like the launching of new manufacturing institutes and infrastructure … Continue Reading
January 24, 2014
Durbin, Kirk, Kelly Introduce Bill to Establish National Park in Pullman
[CHICAGO] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) today announced that they will introduce legislation next week to create the Pullman National Historical Park in the neighborhood's historical district, an architecturally unique neighborhood which played important roles in America's railroad, industrial and labor history. "There is much to preserve and celebrate in Chicago's unique Pullman neighborhood, from its important role … Continue Reading
January 14, 2014
Durbin: Congress Agrees to Fund Great Lakes Restoration Initiative at $300 Million
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced the inclusion of $300 million in funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) in the Omnibus Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2014 will support ongoing efforts to protect the Great Lakes including: combating invasive species, particularly Asian Carp; reducing and removing pollution, waste run-off and toxic chemicals; and restoring wetlands and other lakefront assets. The bill, which was filed in the House … Continue Reading
January 13, 2014
Durbin Commends State Action on Pet Coke
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today welcomed new rules announced by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today that would require total enclosure of petroleum coke piles and other protections associated with the potentially harmful byproduct of petroleum refining, also known as pet coke. "Driving by the pet coke piles in Chicago, I understand why the families living nearby are concerned. Exposing them and their children to dangerous air pollution containing heavy metals and … Continue Reading
January 08, 2014
Durbin, Quinn, Branstad Discuss Illinois Impact of EPA Renewable Fuel Standard Proposal
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following individual phone conversations today with Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and Iowa Governor Terry Branstad regarding the importance of the biofuels and ethanol industry to Illinois jobs and the economy, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today reiterated his strong opposition to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) current proposal reduce the renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Quinn recently took over chairmanship of the … Continue Reading
January 06, 2014
Durbin Statement on Asian Carp Management Study
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after reviewing an Army Corps of Engineers report examining several options for containing invasive species, including Asian Carp, in the Great Lakes. Durbin joined U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Carl Levin (D-MI) and other Great Lakes Senators in requesting and authorizing the report entitled the Great Lakes & Mississippi River Interbasin Study. "This study tells us that while we have … Continue Reading
December 11, 2013
Durbin: Biofuels Critical to Achieving Energy Independence, Protecting Our Environment, and Supportin Rural Economy
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following an oversight hearing today held by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to examine the Environmental Protection Agency's proposal reduce the renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today reiterated his commitment to working with his Congressional colleagues and Illinois' industry stakeholders to improve the proposal. The biofuels industry is a major job creator, especially in rural … Continue Reading
November 21, 2013
Durbin Honors 2013 CNN Hero Award Winner From East Moline, Illinois
[WASHINGTON, DC] - In a statement for the Senate record, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today honored Illinoisan Chad Pregracke, who was named a 2013 CNN Hero earlier this week. Pregracke founded the non-profit Living Lands & Waters, based in East Moline, Illinois, which organizes clean-ups of the Illinois, Mississippi, and Ohio River regions. The full text of Senator Durbin's statement for the record is below: Senator Dick Durbin Honoring 2013 CNN Hero Chad Pegracke November … Continue Reading
November 15, 2013
Durbin Statement on New EPA Renewable Standard Proposal
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today made the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposal to reduce the renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). "The Renewable Fuel Standard has long been a successful driver of investment in the biofuels industry - a key tool in domestic energy independence - which supports more than 5,400 direct jobs in Illinois alone. Reducing the standard as the EPA … Continue Reading
September 05, 2013
Durbin, Bustos Urge House to Pass Water Resources Development Act
[CREVE COEUR, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) today urged their colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the Water Resources Development Act and include legislation they authored when the House considers the measure in coming weeks. A key provision of the Senate bill is modeled on the Water Infrastructure Now Public-Private Partnership Act, which authorizes improvements to the nation's water infrastructure-including locks and … Continue Reading
July 30, 2013
Senators Introduce Bill to Study Effects of Petroleum Coke
WASHINGTON - Four U.S. senators introduced legislation today to require a study of the health, environmental and safety effects of petroleum coke, a byproduct of petroleum refining that is used in energy production. The Petroleum Coke Transparency and Public Health Study Act, introduced by Richard Durbin, D-Ill.; Sens. Carl Levin, D-Mich.; Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich.; and Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, is a companion to legislation introduced in the House earlier this year by Rep. Gary Peters, D-Mich. … Continue Reading
July 29, 2013
Durbin: House Spending Bill Would Cripple Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
[CHICAGO] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today sounded the alarm about the U.S. House of Representatives' plans to cut funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) by 80 percent. Those cuts would severely impact federal programs created to address major ecological problems facing the Great Lakes, including fighting the spread of Asian carp. "The Great Lakes are one of our country's greatest treasures, but they face challenges ranging from industrial pollution to invasive … Continue Reading
June 28, 2013
Illinois Senators Work to Save Army Corps Stronghold and Its Missions to Prevent Spread of Asian Carp
WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today applauded passage of their amendment to the Energy and Water Appropriations bill that prevents the removal of critical functions and staff from the Chicago District Office of the Army Corps of Engineers. In June, the Corps of Engineers announced an effort to move Chicago District Office functions to Detroit, potentially impacting more than 200 employees who oversee Corps projects such as Asian Carp, electric … Continue Reading