2021 began with political upheaval in Washington, yet despite that, our dedication to protecting Illinois’ water did not waver. Our victories took many years to achieve. They took much collaboration with many partners and a sustained effort from our members and supporters when action was needed.
Our mission to protect water reached new heights in 2021 with victories decades in the making.
Major Victory for the Middle Fork and Illinois’ Rivers
After a decades-long fight to protect the Middle Fork of the Vermilion River from coal ash, the State of Illinois and Dynegy/Vistra announced an agreement in June to move the coal ash out of the river’s floodplain.
This is an enormous victory for the river, and it would have been impossible if not for the tireless efforts of PRN staff, our partners, and our supporters, many of whom wrote letters, attended hearings, and traveled to Springfield to discuss the issue with legislators.
In April, the Illinois Pollution Control Board finalized strong rules regulating coal ash, capping off a rulemaking process started with the passage of the Coal Ash Pollution Prevention Act in 2019. This is a huge win for PRN, our partners, and the communities and rivers threatened by coal ash across Illinois.
New Clean Energy Legislation
Another momentous accomplishment this year came in the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, (CEJA) which the Governor signed into law in September. The new law is a major victory for Illinois and the culmination of three years of grassroots community organizing and leadership by PRN and our partners at the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition. CEJA is a bold law that will put Illinois on a path to a 100% clean energy future, protect public health from pollution, provide a just transition for fossil fuel communities, enact tough utility accountability measures, and create jobs and wealth in Illinois’ Black and Brown communities. There are so many organizations, elected leaders, and people to thank for this amazing work.
Protecting Biodiversity
In a lawsuit PRN joined with partners at the Center for Biological Diversity, the University of Chicago Law School, and FISH, a federal court ordered the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to determine whether Lake Sturgeon should be protected under the Endangered Species Act. Further success will mean endangered status for the Lake Sturgeon and an array of protections to safeguard this ancient species.
Protecting our Flowing Rivers and Water Resources
The Trump-era Dirty Water Rule, which gutted Clean Water Act protections for many streams and wetlands and which PRN has opposed for years, was thrown out by a federal court, an important victory in protecting our waterways.
In late June, PRN released What’s in Your Well: The Hidden Dangers of Nitrates in Rural Drinking Water, a report highlighting the danger of nitrate contamination in rural drinking water. Illinois has some of the highest nitrate levels in private wells in the country, and this report shone a light on the issue few have focused on. We also received significant media coverage as a result of the report, raising awareness of the issue across the state.
We have worked with state agencies over the last year to ensure that the latest revision to the Illinois State Water Plan reflects our priorities of clean water for all, healthy communities, and environmental justice. This accomplishment is shared with you, our members, as your extraordinary participation during the public comment periods demonstrated the broad, public support for protecting our water resources.
The successes of 2021 would not have been possible without the continued support of PRN members. The fights are long and hard, but together we are capable of so much. Thank you!
