Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Energy and the Environment
Durbin: Republicans Must Work With Democrats To Tackle Climate Change Crisis
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called out his Republican colleagues for continuing to deny the science behind climate change and refusing to work with Democrats on a bipartisan basis to tackle this mounting crisis. Just this week, scientists wrote that evidence showing human activity is the cause of global warming has reached a "gold standard" level of certainty and that "humanity cannot afford to ignore such clear standards." "For the four years the … Continue Reading
February 19, 2019
Durbin, Duckworth Statement On Seal Order Of Sterigenics
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement regarding the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's (IEPA) decision to issue a Seal Order on Willowbrook, Illinois-based Sterigenics, Inc.: We support the IEPA taking strong action. Ethylene oxide emissions from Sterigenics and the lack of oversight by the U.S. EPA have created a public health emergency that threatened the well-being and safety of Willowbrook, the surrounding … Continue Reading
February 14, 2019
Durbin Statement On Bipartisan Agreement To Fund The Government
WASHINGTON-Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the bipartisan, bicameral conference committee on Homeland Security, today released the following statement after voting for the bipartisan agreement negotiators reached to fund the nine remaining federal departments and their agencies. The bipartisan package rejects President Trump's demand for $5.7 billion for a border wall and makes responsible investments in border security long supported by Democrats. For 35 days, we said … Continue Reading
February 13, 2019
Durbin Urges EPA To Complete Rule Allowing E15 Gasoline To Be Sold Year-Round
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today urged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to finalize a rule allowing the sale of E15 - gasoline containing as much as 15 percent ethanol-to be sold year-round. In a letter to the agency, Durbin urged for a more expeditious effort to complete the new rule by this summer, as President Trump's government shutdown created a month-long delay with the EPA … Continue Reading
February 12, 2019
Durbin, Duckworth, Schneider, Foster, Lipinkski, Casten Introduce Bills To Hold EPA Accountable For Poor Oversight Of Ethylene Oxide Emissions
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with U.S. Representatives Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Dan Lipinski (D-IL-03), and Sean Casten (D-IL-06), today introduced a pair of bicameral bills that would hold the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) accountable for its poor oversight of ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions, which have been the source of harmful emissions in Illinois. Durbin and Schneider led the introduction of a bill … Continue Reading
February 12, 2019
Durbin: EPA Must Treat Sterigenics Emissions As The Public Health Crisis It Is
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today slammed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its lack of action and oversight of Willowbrook, Illinois-based Sterigenics, Inc., a medical sterilization company that uses a carcinogenic chemical - ethylene oxide (EtO) - to sterilize medical equipment. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin urged the EPA to use its existing authority to develop new rules around the use of EtO, including when it is used for commercial sterilization … Continue Reading
February 08, 2019
Durbin, Duckworth Introduce ANTIQUITIES Act To Protect America's National Monuments
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) to introduce the America's Natural Treasures of Immeasurable Quality Unite, Inspire, and Together Improve the Economies of States (ANTIQUITIES) Act of 2019. This legislation will protect America's national monuments against the Trump administration's relentless attacks on public lands and reinforces Congress' clear intent in the Antiquities Act of 1906: only Congress has the authority to … Continue Reading
February 08, 2019
Durbin, Duckworth, Foster, Lipinski, Schneider, Casten Press Sterigenics For Answers About Claims From Ex-Employees
CHICAGO - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representatives Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Dan Lipinski (D-IL-03), Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), and Sean Casten (D-IL-06) today pressed Willowbrook, Illinois-based Sterigenics, Inc. for answers about a CBS Chicago report where ex-employees of Sterigenics alleged rampant wrong-doing by facility supervisors, such as releasing ethylene oxide (EtO) directly into the atmosphere without proper pollution control equipment, … Continue Reading
February 08, 2019
Durbin Calls For EPA To Send Officials To Address Sterigenics Situation
CHICAGO - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after a conversation with Acting U.S. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler regarding ethylene oxide emissions at Sterigenics: Today I spoke to Acting U.S. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler to again express my grave concern about the reports of high emissions of ethylene oxide at Sterigenics and misconduct at the facility. I do not feel there is a sense of urgency at the U.S. EPA. We are dealing with a clear public safety … Continue Reading
February 07, 2019
Durbin, Duckworth, Foster, Lipinski, Schneider, Casten Statement On Sterigenics
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representatives Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Dan Lipinski (D-IL-03), Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), and Sean Casten (D-IL-06) today released the following statement regarding Willowbrook, Illinois-based Sterigenics, Inc.: The reporting from CBS Chicago, alleging Sterigenics directed employees to take extraordinary measures to cover-up releases of ethylene oxide directly into the atmosphere and to dump harmful ethylene … Continue Reading
January 30, 2019
Durbin, Duckworth Urge EPA To Hold Watco Transloading Accountable For Dangerous Manganese Emission
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today urged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to hold Watco Transloading on Chicago's Southeast Side accountable for violating federal safety standards due to its high levels of manganese emissions - a known neurotoxin. The Senators, in a letter to the EPA, raised concerns about the EPA's failure to promptly hold companies accountable for violations of the Clean Air Act, and highlighted the EPA's ability to … Continue Reading
January 30, 2019
Durbin, Duckworth, Lipinski, Foster, Schneider, Casten Meet With Sterigenics, Press For Answers
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with U.S. Representatives Dan Lipinski (D-IL-03), Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), and Sean Casten (D-IL-06) today met with Michael Petras, CEO of Sotera Health, parent company of Willowbrook, Illinois-based Sterigneics, Inc, and Sterigenics President Phil MacNabb, to discuss high carcinogenic ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions at the facility. The members pressed the company representatives on what … Continue Reading
December 20, 2018
Illinois Congressional Delegation Supports Disaster Assistance For Taylorville Tornado Recovery
WASHINGTON - The entire Illinois Congressional Delegation today sent a letter of support for Governor Bruce Rauner's request for a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Declaration for Christian County, Illinois, as a result of a tornado that touched down on December 1, 2018. The damage assessment conducted this month by the SBA found that 33 homes and one business incurred major damage as a result of the tornado in Christian County. "The economic impact on the community as a … Continue Reading
December 20, 2018
Durbin Urges Illinois Farmers To Take Steps To Curb Impacts Of Climate Change
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) sent letters today to the Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Soybean Association, and Illinois Corn Growers Association urging each group to review the Fourth National Climate Assessment, and heed the warnings contained in the report about the impacts climate change will have on farming in Illinois. Durbin urged the farmers to take steps outlined in the report to help mitigate the effects of shifting climate and weather patterns - such as more frequent … Continue Reading
December 14, 2018
Durbin, Duckworth To EPA: Don't Weaken Coal Ash Rule
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today sent a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urging the agency to not weaken the federal regulation for the safe disposal of coal combustion residuals (CCR) or "coal ash", which protects drinking water, human health, and the environment. The 2015 rule established by the EPA sets minimum federal standards for coal ash disposal. Industry reports required under the 2015 rule show that coal ash … Continue Reading
December 12, 2018
Durbin, Duckworth, Kelly Statement On Report Of Additional Manganese Source In Southeast Chicago
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) today released the following statements after a Chicago Tribune report found that air monitors recorded dangerous levels of brain-damaging manganese at Watco Transloading on Chicago's Southeast Side. The members raised concerns about the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) failure to consistently hold companies accountable for violations of the Clean Air Act, and … Continue Reading
November 29, 2018
Durbin, Schneider, Duckworth, Lipinski, Foster Introduce Bill To Require EPA To Revise Standards For Ethylene Oxide Emissions
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), along with Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Representatives Dan Lipinski (D-IL-03) and Bill Foster (D-IL-11), today introduced a bill that would require the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to revise ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions standards for medical sterilization and chemical facilities, which have been the source of harmful emissions in Illinois. The bill also requires the EPA to … Continue Reading
November 26, 2018
Durbin & Senators Call On HUD To Improve Oversight Of Lead Poisoning Prevention Programs
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with nine of his Senate colleagues, today sent a letter to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) urging the agency to immediately improve its oversight of lead-based paint hazards in federally-assisted housing to ensure that families and children are protected from exposure to lead. The letter comes on the heels of a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report recommending that HUD take immediate action to improve all … Continue Reading
November 19, 2018
Durbin, Duckworth Sign Bicameral Amicus Brief To Protect National Monuments Against Unconstitutional Attacks By Trump Administration
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with Senator Tom Udall (D-NM), U.S. Representative Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ), 25 Senators, and 92 House members, submitted an amicus brief in support of plaintiffs in five cases before the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia that challenge the Trump Administration's decision to significantly diminish the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments in southern Utah. In the … Continue Reading
November 15, 2018
Durbin, Duckworth, Foster, Schneider Meet With Acting EPA Administrator, Call For Action On Cancer-Causing Pollution In Lake And DuPage Counties
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with U.S. Representatives Bill Foster (D-IL-11) and Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), today met with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler to discuss cancer risks caused by ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions at Sterigenics Inc. in DuPage County, Illinois and Medline Industries, Inc., and Vantage Specialty Chemicals, Inc., in Lake County, Illinois. The members urged Acting … Continue Reading