Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Energy and the Environment
Durbin Announces a Nearly $1.1 Million FEMA Grant for Flood Protection Efforts in Winnebago County
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that Winnebago County has been awarded a $1,084,525 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for flood protection efforts. "This project will protect the health, safety and welfare of Winnebago county residents," said Durbin. "By supporting flood control efforts, this federal funding will help reduce costs to the local government for emergency rescue, infrastructure repair, debris removal and emergency … Continue Reading
November 15, 2011
Durbin Announces More than $8.2 Million in DOT Funding to Reduce Illinois' Reliance on Foreign Oil
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that three Illinois transportation service providers and organizations have been awarded a total of $8,208,000 in competitive grants by the U.S. Department of Transportation. This funding will be used by the grant recipients to reduce their reliance on foreign oil, promote use of clean fuels, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. "Increasing use of cleaner, more energy efficient vehicles in public transportation throughout … Continue Reading
November 09, 2011
Durbin Opposes Landmark Status that Would Allow SS Badger to Continue Dumping Coal Ash in Lake Michigan
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following a meeting with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and the Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee to oppose efforts to protect the SS Badger from having to comply with EPA standards. "Lake Michigan is the primary source of drinking water for more than ten million people and a key component of the $7 billion Great Lakes fishing industry. … Continue Reading
October 27, 2011
Durbin: Republican "Jobs" Bill Guts Regulations, But Comes Up Empty on Job Creation
[CHICAGO, IL] - Legislation proposed by Congressional Republicans to delay, roll-back, or eliminate basic pollution standards will weaken our ability to ensure clean air and water, and a healthy environment for our families across the nation, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said today during a news conference at the UIC Medical Center. By gutting the Clean Air Act and severely limiting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) ability to regulate toxic pollutants emitted by … Continue Reading
October 19, 2011
Durbin: Prairie State Energy Shows Job Creation Doesn't Have to Come at the Expense of Clean Air
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with the President and CEO of Prairie State Energy Campus, Peter DeQuattro, who has been working closely with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over the last several years to ensure that their new coal-fueled generation plant in southwestern Illinois meets all required emissions standards. "Prairie State Energy Campus is a clean coal success story that proves job creation doesn't have to come at the expense of … Continue Reading
October 14, 2011
Durbin Announces $2.4 Million FEMA Grant for Flood Protection Efforts in Addison
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Village of Addison has been awarded a $2,467,869 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for flood protection efforts. "This project will protect the health, safety and welfare of Addison residents," said Durbin. "By supporting flood control efforts, this federal funding will help reduce costs to the local government there for emergency rescue, infrastructure repair, debris removal and … Continue Reading
October 10, 2011
Environmental Law & Policy Center Benefit
I want to thank Dan Levin for that generous introduction. Dan and his wife, Ambassador Fay Levin, are good friends. I am a big admirer of the Environmental Law & Policy Center and all it does to protect our natural treasures in Chicago and throughout the Midwest. I want to recognize the center's chairman, Nancy Loeb. I also want to thank ELPC President Howard Learner. On every big environmental challenge we have faced for 20 years - from reducing the mercury in our air, to protecting … Continue Reading
September 13, 2011
Durbin: Severe Weather Has Hit Illinois From Chicago to Cairo, State Needs Relief Funding Without Delay
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on members of Congress to support a supplemental appropriations bill for the Disaster Relief Fund as requested by President Obama. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin described the need for federal aid in a year that has seen a blizzard and two severe floods affect communities throughout Illinois as well as record breaking hurricanes and wildfires in other parts of the country. The disaster relief fund gives families and … Continue Reading
September 06, 2011
Durbin Lauds DOE Decision to Award Argonne National Laboratory A Nearly $2 Million Competitive Grant
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) today commended the U.S. Department of Energy's selection of the Lemont, Illinois-based Argonne National Laboratory to receive a $1,875,000 competitive grant. Argonne was selected for its ability to contribute to the development of innovative technologies that produce hydropower more efficiently, reduce costs, and increase sustainable hydropower generation. "Argonne is one of our nation's premier research and innovation labs as well as an … Continue Reading
August 30, 2011
Durbin, Kirk and Delegation Call on President to Provide Federal Relief for Illinois Counties
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) were joined by members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation today in requesting that President Obama issue a major disaster declaration for the State of Illinois and to provide relief to three Illinois counties - Carroll, Jo Daviess and Stephenson - affected by severe storms and flooding that occurred in late July. A Presidential disaster declaration would allow cities and counties to apply for federal reimbursements … Continue Reading
August 17, 2011
Durbin Announces More Than $5.7 Million in USDA Funding for Rural Development
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development division has awarded a total of $5,709,200 in Community Facility Grants and Loans and Water and Waste Disposal Grants and Loans to local organizations in Illinois. "Community facilities and services are an important part of everyday life for millions of rural Illinoisans," said Durbin "This funding makes a significant investment in the continued operation … Continue Reading
July 28, 2011
Durbin Asks Senate Committee to Delay Flood Insurance Purchase Requirement for Metro East Residents
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today asked the Senate Banking Committee to include in its bill to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) a provision that would require that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to delay flood insurance purchase requirements for communities - like Metro East, Illinois - already spending significant resources to improve their flood control infrastructure. Recently, the House of Representatives passed its version … Continue Reading
July 28, 2011
Durbin: Federal Government Unprepared for Growing Number of Extreme Weather Events
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today chaired a hearing of the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee to examine the federal government's preparedness for the economic impact of weather events which are growing in frequency and severity. Traditionally, disaster relief funding has been largely unplanned for - being provided only on an as-need basis rather than through the regular annual funding cycle. After hearing testimony from the … Continue Reading
July 27, 2011
Durbin, Kirk, Costello, Shimkus: Army Corps to Report Back in One Week on Possibility of Expediting Permit Process
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Congressmen Jerry Costello (D-IL) and John Shimkus (R-IL) announced that the Army Corps of Engineers has agreed to look into how the approval process for upgrades to the Metro East levees system can be expedited to avoid delays that could drive up project costs. In a meeting earlier today, Assistant Secretary Jo-Ellen Darcy assured the Illinois members that she would report back within one week with her findings. … Continue Reading
July 26, 2011
Durbin Announces Funding for Public-Private Partnership Aimed at Protecting the Great Lakes
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Sustain Our Great Lakes (SOGL) program has awarded a total of $706,350 in grants to three organizations in Illinois. The Sustain Our Great Lakes program works to protect, maintain, and restore the integrity of the Great Lakes ecosystem by supporting habitat restoration, protection and enhancement projects, invasive species control, water quality improvements, and watershed planning and management. "We must ensure … Continue Reading
July 08, 2011
Illinois Lawmakers Ask Army Corps to Expedite Permit Process Ahead of Metro East Levees Meeting
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following yesterday's meeting with the head of the Southwestern Illinois Flood Prevention District Council, Les Sterman, Illinois lawmakers today asked Assistant Secretary Jo-Ellen Darcy of the Army Corps of Engineers to expedite the approval process for upgrades to the Metro East levees system and ensure that the repairs are done quickly and cost-effectively. Over the last few weeks, Sterman and others have alerted the members of potential delays in the approval … Continue Reading
June 07, 2011
Durbin Statement on MWRD Vote to Support Disinfecting Sewage that Enters Chicago River
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today issued the following statement after learning that the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) of Greater Chicago voted to support the disinfection of wastewater before it enters portions of the Chicago and Calumet Rivers. "Chicago is a world-class city with an ambitious environmental agenda. But while Chicago is listed among the nation's greenest cities, the City's record when it comes to the Chicago River is … Continue Reading
June 02, 2011
America's Great Outdoors: Deputy Secretary Hayes, Senator Durbin Announce Designation of 41 New National Recreation Trails
[CHICAGO, IL] - Deputy Secretary of the Interior David J. Hayes and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin today announced the designation of 41 trails in 17 states as National Recreation Trails, adding almost 650 miles of trails to the National Trails System. The announcement came in advance of National Trails Day on June 4, when hundreds of organized activities including hikes, educational programs, bike rides, trail rehabilitation projects, festivals, paddle trips, and trail dedications will take place … Continue Reading
May 24, 2011
Durbin Announces FEMA Grant for Flood Protection Efforts in Gurnee
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the City of Gurnee has been awarded a $2,428,463 grant for from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for flood protection efforts in Gurnee, Illinois. The funding will be used to purchase and remove the old Gurnee Elementary School which has been damaged beyond repair by repeated flooding. The property will be returned to green space, allowing flooding from the Des Plaines River to occur without damage to … Continue Reading
May 19, 2011
Durbin, Kirk: FERC Decision on Quincy Appeal Extremely Disappointing
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today expressed disappointment in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) decision to deny Quincy's appeal and stop the city from moving forward with the hydroelectric power plant at Lock and Dam 21. "The decision in February to halt the City of Quincy's work the on a hydroelectric power plant came as a shock. Though the City had been in regular contact with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Quincy … Continue Reading