SPRINGFIELD – Illinois EPA Interim Director John Kim announced household hazardous waste collections have resumed and have been scheduled in six downstate communities, in the Spring and the Fall of 2012, starting Saturday, June 2.

“The Illinois EPA is very pleased to be able to resume this popular and important program after a three-year hiatus,” said Director Kim. “These events will provide residents in the central and southern parts of the state an opportunity to dispose of household hazardous waste in a safe and environmentally responsible manner and will complement the four long-term household hazardous waste programs that continue to operate in the Northern part of the state.”

The 2012 one-day collections are scheduled from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays for:

Carbondale on June 2

Quincy on June 23

Peoria on September 8

Swansea on September 15

Springfield on September 22

Champaign-Urbana on September 29

The Illinois EPA continues to support long-term facilities in Naperville, Rockford, Chicago and Lake County.

The program, which begain in 1989, has already served nearly 417,000 households.  Since the program’s inception, 465 one-day events have been held and over 81,000 fifty-five gallon drums of toxic materials have been collected from Illinois citizens. 

The collections give citizens the opportunity to safely dispose of unused or leftover household products commonly found in homes, basements and garages statewide. The materials are handled in an environmentally sound manner, diverting them from local area landfills.

Citizens are encouraged to bring, paints, thinners, chemical cleaners, unwanted pharmaceuticals, mercury and mercury-containing items, antifreeze, motor oil, gasoline, kerosene, weed killers, insecticides, pesticides, adhesives, hobby chemicals, household batteries and similar products. Fluorescent and other high-intensity discharge lamps may also be brought to the collections. The public is encouraged to find alternative uses for latex paint since it is not considered hazardous.

Items notaccepted include explosives, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, medical waste, sharps, controlled substances, agricultural chemicals and all business wastes. Propane tanks and lead acid auto batteries cannot be accepted at most of the events, but should be taken to local recyclers. Electronics and related devices will not be accepted. As of January 1, 2012, unwanted electronics must be recycled.

Illinois EPA Announces 2012 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Schedule | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Interim Director John Kim has announced that it has awarded the City of Rockford a $1 million River Edge Municipal Brownfield Redevelopment Grant to assist it with its long-term Brownfields environmental cleanup and redevelopment efforts.

“I have been committed to making sure Rockford and communities around Illinois have the tools needed to continue putting people to work and growing local economies. This funding builds on the commitment by enabling the city to convert abandoned structures into something that will continue to support this area,” Governor Pat Quinn said. “Redeveloping these brownfield sites will create jobs now and in the long-term as these businesses continue to expand and boost the Rockford economy.” 

“River communities such as Rockford were the foundation of Illinois economy at one time,” said Director Kim. “Many of these underutilized and abandoned properties along major waterways are ideal for redevelopment and have a great potential for growth.” 

Rockford will use the grant funds to do environmental investigation and cleanup work at three sites: the former Tapco facility, former Depot site, and former Lorden/Eclipse site, all of which are located along South Main Street in Rockford.   The overall goal of the grant is to fund cleanup activities to make way for the expansion of Davis Park into the former Tapco facility site and the return of passenger rail to Rockford at the former Depot and Lorden/Eclipse sites.   All three target sites have been acquired by the City of Rockford.  

The City has conducted initial environmental site investigation activities at the sites and will use the State grant funds to complete site assessment activities, prepare corrective action plans and implement remedial action at all three locations.  The investigation and cleanup activities will be conducted by the City under review and approval of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

River Edge Redevelopment Zones, of which Rockford is one, consist of environmentally challenged areas that lie adjacent to rivers and have economic development potential, but the cost of redevelopment has made attracting investment extremely difficult. 

Brownfields are abandoned, idled or underused industrial and commercial properties that have actual or perceived contamination and an active potential for redevelopment.  While brownfields were once considered to be only an environmental health issue, they are now recognized as areas with the potential to play a vital role in the economic development of a community.  In Illinois, there are an estimated 7,000-10,000 brownfields sites in need of remediation.

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Illinois EPA Awards $1 Million River Edge Grant to Rockford for Redevelopment | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Springfield—The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) has granted the Downers Grove Sanitary District a provisional variance from the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) water discharge permit limits in order to perform maintenance to Outfall 1, of the District’s wastewater treatment plant.

The District owns and operates the wastewater treatment plant in the Downers Grove area. It serves approximately 65,000 primarily residential users. The plant is located on St. Joseph Creek, immediately east of Interstate 355.

The provisional variance will allow the District to discharge all treated effluent from Outfall 2, while it removes tree roots that constrict the flow from Outfall 1, the plants main outfall. The tree roots constrict the flow and must periodically be removed. The maintenance is expected to take approximately three to five days, weather permitting.

The IEPA has determined that the environmental impact from the variance would be minimal, no reasonable alternative appears to be available, no public water supplies will be affected, no federal regulations would prohibit granting the request, and the facility would face an arbitrary and unreasonable hardship if the IEPA did not grant the requested variance. 

The Downers Grove Sanitary District must ensure operation of its treatment plant to produce the best effluent possible at all times.  Any environmental impact from the requested relief will be closely monitored, and the Agency must be immediately notified of any adverse impacts.

The provisional variance ends no later than May 18, 2012. All other NPDES permit requirements will remain in effect.

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Illinois EPA grants Downers Grove Sanitary District Provisional Variance from Discharge Requirements | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

SPRINGFIELD – Over 900 Sangamon County fourth graders are participating in the 21st annual Earth Stewardship Day at the Illinois State Fairgrounds today, hosted by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Illinois Department of Agriculture and other state and local agencies.

Between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., students and their teachers are observing 38 interactive presentations and other special attractions being held throughout the Fairgrounds. The various presenters represent a wide range of agencies and organizations, all focusing on the importance of protecting, restoring, recycling and reusing natural resources. In keeping with the focus on stewardship, students and teachers were asked to make sure lunches and beverages were “waste-free.”

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the Illinois Departments of Agriculture, and, Transportation, along with the Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts jointly sponsored this year’s event.

“Earth Stewardship Day provides a hands-on, fun approach to learning about our environment and ways to protect it so that the young environmental stewards here today inherit a healthy world full of opportunity,” said Illinois EPA Interim Director John Kim. “My thanks to staff members from all of the agencies who have devoted so much time and energy to make this day happen.”

Illinois EPA employees are staffing six stations, including “Environmental Jeopardy.” In this interactive game, student volunteers compete against the clock and each other in an effort to correctly answer various environmental questions. The first students to come up with the correct answer are awarded points while the contestants who did not get the correct answer or did not answer quickly, get “trashed.” Other Illinois EPA stations included Macroinvertebrate Mayhem, Toxic Relay, and the Groundwater Flow Mode, Recycle relay and Recyclables.

Special presenters also included environmental storytellers Brian “Fox” Ellis, of Fox Tales International in Peoria and Dan Keding of DanTales in Urbana, both of whom are nationally renowned. Another special presenter was Joe Hand with the Wildlife Prairie State Park in Peoria presenting his “Illinois Birds of Prey.”

Another special presentation included this year is the Global Warming-Save the Polar Bears created by Springfield’s Grant Middle School’s Illinois Math and Science Academy class.Homemade Bird Feeders created by the Auburn High School Science Club, and The Recycle Relay presented by the Lanphier High School Environmental Club. 

A new presentation this year is Planting Seeds for the Future. The students will plant corn and soybeans and be able to see their results by State Fair time in the new Farmers little helper area. Illinois Department of Agriculture staff and Dave Love with Stone Seed will be the presenters.

This annual celebration of environmental protection and conservation is free and open to the first 900 students whose schools registered, with preference given to those schools that have not attended in the past year.

For more information about this annual event, please contact Kristi Morris, Education and Outreach Coordinator for the Illinois EPA at 217/558-7198.

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21st Annual Earth Stewardship Day at the Illinois State Fairgrounds | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

SPRINGFIELD — Over 1,000 area Boy Scouts are spending the day taking part in the annual Lincoln Trail Hike, so named because hikers retrace the steps of a young Abraham Lincoln as he journeyed from New Salem to Springfield to practice law. The Lincoln Trail Hike is part of the weekend activities of the 67th Annual Lincoln Pilgrimage, which is hosted by the Abraham Lincoln Council Boy Scouts of America. This is the 18th year the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has teamed with the Council for the event.
Hikers began their trek between 6 and 9 a.m. at the New Salem State Park and will finish their 20-mile hike at Stuart Park in Springfield. Scouts are able to walk the path Lincoln walked, along the scenic roadway through Sangamon and Menard Counties. All the while, hikers collect trash along the trail.
“Not only do the Boy Scouts participating in this event learn about and honor our greatest President by retracing his steps, but they also honor him by cleaning up this historic trail and hopefully acquiring a lifetime habit of environmental stewardship,” said Illinois EPA Interim Director John Kim.
“The Scouts provide a valuable community service much appreciated by residents along the trail and Illinois EPA staff volunteers have been enthusiastic supporters over the years,” added Illinois EPA Associate Director Elmo Dowd, who presented the Governor’s proclamation to Scout leaders today.
Volunteers from the Illinois EPA, as well as the Lt. Governor’s Office and other state agencies, donate their time to staff the rest stations along the trail route, where drinking water, restrooms, trash collection bags, and other support are provided for the hikers. Upon completing the hike, Scouts will receive a “Lincoln Trail Hike & Clean Up” patch from the Agency in recognition of their efforts.
“The volunteers and support from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency help make this hike safer and more meaningful for the Scouts,” said Pilgrimage Committee Chairman Mark Cullen. “Scouting teaches our Scouts to be good stewards of our natural resources. The Illinois EPA’s participation emphasizes the importance of our environment and provides our hikers an opportunity to clean up a historic trail.”
Waste Management Inc., of Springfield, donates services each year by providing disposal for the trash that is collected. Proceeds from the recyclable items will be returned to the area Boy Scouts Council. American Radio Relay League amateur radio operators provide communications support for the day. Coca Cola and the Illinois Air National Guard provide tents at rest stops.
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Illinois EPA and Boy Scouts of America team up for Annual 20-mile Lincoln Trail Hike | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

SPRINGFIELD –Illinois EPA emergency responders and water quality specialists are in Tazewell County again today in response to yesterday’s release into Prairie Creek, on Allentown Road west of the Village of Allentown, of several hundred gallons of a mixture of 28 percent nitrogen and 13.3 percent of an herbicide containing Atrazine. The address is reported to be 24815 Allentown Road. In addition, approximately 60 gallons of diesel fuel were released in the vehicle accident that caused the release. The spill resulted in a large and “complete” fish kill downstream of the incident site.

Along with the Morton and Pekin fire departments and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Illinois EPA continues to monitor the situation, and is collecting periodic samples to determine how quickly the chemical is moving downstream and the effectiveness of the remedial measures being taken.

The Illinois EPA cautions anyone using the water from Prairie Creek between the spill site and the Mackinaw River (approximately eight miles) as drinking water for animals, recreation or any other purpose to avoid the area until the water is determined to be safe through testing. 

While concentrations of the chemicals appear “milky” in the water, the chemicals can still be dangerous even after the water appears to be clears. 

Illinois EPA Responds to Chemical Spill into Prairie Creek Resulting in Fish Kill | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Springfield—Illinois EPA Interim Director John Kim today announced the award of nearly $5 million in Green Infrastructure Grants designed to reduce the amount of pollution running into Illinois waterways from stormwater sources.

Applicants applied for grant awards in three categories: Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Rehabilitation; Stormwater Retention and Infiltration; and Green Infrastructure Small Projects. The list is attached.

“These projects will help improve the quality of the Chicago River by preventing nearly 2 million gallons of storm water, and the pollutants that storm water carries with it, from entering the river each year,” Governor Quinn said. “Recently, we announced that two new facilities will be built to disinfect discharges into the river, and today we are building on our commitment to return the Chicago River to recreational use.”

Green Infrastructure Grants are another one of the Agency’s tools to control stormwater pollution in Illinois,” said Director Kim.  “Well over half of the impairments to Illinois waterways are due to nonpoint source and stormwater pollution and it comes from many different sources.”

Nonpoint source pollution occurs when runoff from rain and snowmelt carries pollutants into waterways such as rivers, streams, lakes, wetlands, and even groundwater. When rain hits the ground and flows across streets, parking lots, yards, construction sites, farm fields and golf courses, it picks up litter, oil, grease, metals, rubber, dirt, fertilizers, pesticides, animal waste, and other things left behind by people, automobiles and animals depositing them into lakes, rivers, wetlands, coastal waters and underground sources of drinking water.

Green infrastructure” means any storm water management practice with the goal of preserving or restoring natural hydrology. Green infrastructure includes methods of using soil and vegetation to promote soil percolation, evapotranspiration and filtration, and involves the preservation and restoration of natural landscape features, such as forests, floodplains, headwaters, and wetlands.

The $5 million in grants will result jobs for installation of green structures by construction workers and the trades, as well as to create work for professional engineers and public works staff designing Best Management Practices and developing and submitting permits, and construction oversight.
The successful applicants, their projects and the amounts of the awards are:

Illinois EPA Awards Grants for Stormwater Management Programs | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

CHICAGO – April 12, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today announced $10 million in state funding to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) of Greater Chicago to improve water quality in Chicago area waterways. The funding being provided through the Illinois Jobs Now! capital program will support design and engineering of new facilities to disinfect discharges into the Chicago River/Chicago Area Waterway System at two wastewater treatment plants. The work will result in healthier, cleaner water than ever before.

“The Chicago River is an Illinois treasure that should be clean and safe,” Governor Quinn said. “Cleaning up our waterways will not only improve the quality of life in the Chicago area, but also attract more tourists and residents to Illinois.”

The state is providing $10 million through Illinois Jobs Now! to support the estimated $21 million total engineering and design costs. The project will include upgrading technology at the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant and the North Side Water Reclamation Plant. Technology improvements will center on the chlorination/de-chlorination process for discharges into the Chicago River from the Calumet plant, and ultraviolet treatment with low-pressure, high-output lamps to treat discharges from the North Side plant.

”I am committed to establishing the Chicago River as the city’s next recreational frontier, so our residents can enjoy the river as it fosters economic opportunity throughout our city and neighborhoods,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “I am supportive of all efforts to improve the water quality of the river and move us toward our goals for this wonderful resource.”

Construction gets underway later this fall and final design work will be finished by March 2013. The entire project is estimated to be completed by December 2015, and disinfection processes implemented ahead of the 2016 recreational season.

“The families and businesses of Chicago know that the river here is a critical part of their lives and their economy. They want clean, healthy waters where they can swim and sail and safely enjoy themselves,” said USEPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “The EPA has been working closely with Governor Quinn and Mayor Emanuel and all of the local supporters who are committed to restoring their waters and bringing those benefits to the community. As we mark the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act this year, we’re happy to see the progress that has been made and will continue working to revitalize and protect water across America.”

“A common vision and common purpose are essential components to any successful endeavor,” said MWRD Executive Director David St. Pierre. “It’s truly an honor and privilege to have a mayor, a governor and a federal representative all behind the important work of recovering the quality of our water system. We’re truly grateful for the governor’s support and know that together we will succeed.”

Today’s announcement builds on plans Governor Quinn announced during his State of the State address to ensure clean water in Illinois communities by upgrading wastewater systems throughout the state. According to the USEPA, Illinois has a more than $17 billion capital need for publicly-owned wastewater pipes and treatment facilities, combined sewer overflow correction and stormwater management – the 6th highest need in the nation.

The state will assist in projects to upgrade aging systems, and construct new waste and drinking water plants around Illinois. The Governor’s proposal will improve the health and safety of Illinois residents, as well as support job creation.

Today’s funding builds on more than $248 million in state- and federally-funded upgrades and improvements at MWRD facilities since Governor Quinn took office. Those projects include funding for facility improvements at the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant and replacing deteriorating sewer lines throughout the city of Chicago. The USEPA, the state of Illinois and the MWRD are working together to support green infrastructure projects and other steps to reduce untreated stormwater overflows into the waterways.

For more information on EPA’s work on the Chicago River: http://www.epa.gov/region5/chicagoriver.

Governor Quinn Announces Capital Funding to Disinfect the Chicago River – State Grant to Upgrade Chicago River Treatment Plants | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

SPRINGFIELD — Today, Illinois EPA Interim Director John Kim honored a group of distinguished Illinois fifth and sixth grade students selected for their creative skills used to express environmental awareness, as part of the Agency’s 25th annual Poster, Poetry and Prose Contest. This year’s theme focused on storm water pollution and ways to prevent it with Going Green to Keep Your Storm Water Clean!

The writers and artists selected from throughout Illinois were recognized at a reception in the Howlett Building in downtown Springfield.

“The environmental decisions we make today will affect these students in the future,” said Director Kim. “Part of environmental stewardship is educating others. These students will be able to help others in their communities to make good environmental decisions.”

Poetry/Prose Top Award Winners

Grace Braden, Jefferson Elementary School in Charleston

Max Calk, East Lake Academy in Lake Forest

Karly Coffey, Jefferson Elementary School in Charleston

Lauren Elias, Pleasant Lane in Lombard

Jason Gluzkin, Washington School in Glenview

Angela Rauch, Prince of Peace School in Lake Villa

Posters Top Award Winners

Alycia Bhargava, Nancy Young Elementary in Aurora

Alondra Cervantes, Hermes Elementary School in Aurora

Jennifer Ilc, Washington School in Glenview

Aditi Prabhu, Nancy Young Elementary in Aurora

Isreal Sandoval, Simmons Middle School in Aurora

Darija Stanojevic, Washington School in Glenview

A panel from the Illinois EPA judged all entries and selected the finalists, whose entries were then judged by an outside panel of authorities, to determine the top 12 winners. 

Each spring, students learn about environmental protection of the air, land, and water through the Agency’s environmental education guide, “Environmental Pathways –Youth Investigating Pollution Issues in Illinois.” Following the completion of the guide, students use their creative talents to visually articulate, in the form of a poster or a written work, their ideas of how they can protect our precious resources – air, land, and water. Special emphasis is given to one of those three areas on an annual, rotating basis with this year’s focus being on preventing water pollution.

Following the ceremony, the winning entries will be on exhibit in the atrium at Illinois EPA’s Springfield headquarters from April 2 through May 2; the top 12 entries will be featured on the Illinois EPA’s web site. 

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Illinois EPA Honors Young Environmentalists in 25th Annual Poster, Poetry and Prose Contest Ceremony | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

SCHILLER PARK – March 29, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn and representatives from the Illinois Tollway, 350Green LLC and 7-Eleven, Inc. today announced the availability of the nation’s largest network of fast-charging electric vehicle (EV) stations. As part of Governor Quinn’s commitment to increasing sustainability across Illinois, the initiative will support the use of electric vehicles and create jobs in sustainable transportation. Motorists can charge an electric vehicle in under 30 minutes using the current fast-chargers at 7-Eleven sites at four Tollway Oasis locations, and will soon be able to charge vehicles at all seven Tollway Oases.

“We want Illinois to be the greenest state in America,” Governor Quinn said. “By installing the largest network of cutting edge fast-chargers, Illinois will continue to support green jobs and provide people with environmentally-friendly and affordable travel options.”

Through the Chicago-Area EV Infrastructure Project, 26 fast-chargers have been installed, with 73 total fast-chargers planned. Eight of these are currently in place at Tollway Oases along the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) at the Des Plaines Oasis and on the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) at the Lake Forest Oasis, O’Hare Oasis and Chicago Southland Lincoln Oasis. The installations, managed by 350Green, were performed by Chicago-based JNS Power & Control Systems.

“Today, the Tollway is taking steps to ensure that electric vehicle drivers on our roadways have the same convenient access to electricity as other drivers have to fuel,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur. “At the same time, we are continuing our commitment to ‘clean and green’ technology and making the Tollway a leader in environmental sustainability.”

The City of Chicago is overseeing the project’s installation of 280 charging stations overall to increase accessibility to EV charging. With a budget of $8.8 million, including $1.9 million in public funding and $6.9 million in private investment, EV stations are being installed mostly in areas with dense residential and worker populations and in high-traffic areas. The overall EV infrastructure project has created approximately 18 jobs and its construction will support 8,500 labor hours.

“This project is an excellent example of Mayor Emanuel’s commitment to promoting sustainability throughout the city of Chicago, while maximizing the positive economic impacts and job creation of these efforts,” said Karen Weigert, Chief Sustainability Officer at the City of Chicago. “This project represents one of the largest concentrations of fast-charging stations in the world, and is an outstanding example of private investment optimizing value to taxpayers.”

“With this announcement, the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois have the largest and most advanced fast-charging EV infrastructure in the U.S.,” said Mariana Gerzanych, co-founder and CEO of 350Green. “Whether you are at a mall, a drugstore or now on the open road, electric vehicle drivers can take comfort in knowing a charging station will be just around the corner.”

Partnerships with charging station hosts such as 7-Eleven have been key to the rollout of the network across the state. 7-Eleven convenience stores at four of the Illinois Tollway Oases now have dedicated space for fast-charging stations.

“Our support for electric vehicle charging stations is a perfect fit with our commitment to providing travelers with the things that make their trip more enjoyable – whether it’s our coffee, energy drinks or variety of fresh food products we offer at our stores,” said 7-Eleven Market Manager Tim Hale. “Now we offer the most advanced charging technology to people driving the most advanced vehicles.”

Before plugging in to one of the Tollway’s fast-chargers, drivers must purchase a payment card from 350Green (www.350Green.com/cards). The $21 card includes three 15-minute sessions at fast-charging stations.

The Chicago-Area EV Infrastructure Project is funded in part by the state’s Illinois Jobs Now! capital plan and Clean Cities Grant funds that the city of Chicago received through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The project is one of several initiatives now underway in Illinois to promote the adoption and use of electric vehicles.

The Illinois Jobs Now! plan includes up to $10 million in capital funding for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to award EV manufacturing and infrastructure incentives, which will begin rolling out this spring. In July 2011, Governor Quinn signed the Electric Vehicle Act to form the Illinois Electric Vehicle Advisory Council, a group of public- and private-sector electric vehicle stakeholders collaborating to develop policies and programs that support EVs.

In addition, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) offers the Illinois Alternate Fuels Rebate Program, which provides a rebate of up to $4,000 toward EV purchases (www.illinoisgreenfleets.org/fuels/ ). The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) also launched a Plug-in Electric Vehicle Initiative (PEV) Initiative to explore regulatory issues related to EV deployment (www.icc.illinois.gov/Electricity/PEV.aspx).

About 350Green

Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, 350Green is a project developer that designs, builds and operates a scalable, nationwide network of electric vehicle (E.V.) charging stations. The company partners with retailers, commercial property managers and developers, and municipalities to locate charging stations at places near where E.V. drivers live and work. Current projects are underway in Illinois, California, Washington, D.C., New York, Indiana and Pennsylvania. The company has signed partnerships with Walgreens and Simon Property Group, among others. More information is available at www.350green.com.

About 7-Eleven

7-Eleven, Inc. is the premier name and largest chain in the convenience retailing industry. Based in Dallas, Texas, 7-Eleven operates, franchises or licenses more than 9,100 7-Eleven® stores in North America. Globally, there are approximately 45,600 7-Eleven stores in 16 countries. During 2010, 7-Eleven stores worldwide generated total sales close to $63 billion. 7-Eleven has been honored by a number of companies and organizations recently. Accolades include: #2 on Forbes magazine’s 2011 list of Top Franchises for the Money; #4 spot on Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500 list for 2009, #3 in Forbes magazine’s Top 20 Franchises to Start, and #2 in Franchise Times Top 200 Franchise Companies. Hispanic Magazine named 7-Eleven in its Hispanic Corporate Top 100 Companies that provide the most opportunities to Hispanics. 7-Eleven received the 2010 Retailer of the Year honor from PL Buyer because of the company’s private-label brand initiative. 7-Eleven is franchising its stores in the U.S. and expanding through organic growth, acquisitions and its Business Conversion Program. Find out more online at www.7-Eleven.com.

About Illinois Tollway

The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 286 miles of interstate tollways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) and the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80).

Related Materials
EV Fast-Charging Network Facts (PDF, 253 KB)

Governor Pat Quinn Rolls Out Nation’s Largest Electric Vehicle Fast-Charging Network – 350Green and 7-Eleven help drivers re-charge vehicles in under 30 minutes at Illinois Tollway Oases | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Springfield—The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) has granted the Exelon Generation’s Quad Cities Station a provisional variance from the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) water discharge permitted temperature limits, due to recent unseasonably warm weather conditions. 

Quad Cities Station is a nuclear-fueled steam electric generating facility located on the Mississippi River near Cordova. Circulating water used to cool and condense steam from the generating process is ultimately discharged into the river. It does not come into contact with any radioactive components and does not have any impact on radiation risk. 

Exelon’s NPDES permit places limits the temperature of the effluent versus the temperature of the river water during a given season, and gives Quad Cities an allowance of excursion hours it can use if its discharge exceeds the temperature. Because of recent record breaking warm weather, Quad Cities exhausted the excursion hours in the early morning of March 21. Quad Cities has already shut down Unit 2 for a refueling outage. If Quad Cities has to shut down Unit 1, this will affect the margin of safety for both of these units. 

During the variance period, Quad Cities Station must continuously monitor both discharge and receiving water temperatures and must visually inspect all discharge areas at least three times each day to assess the impact on aquatic life.   It must also notify the Illinois EPA and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources if aquatic life is shown to be affected. If the increased discharge temperature results in adverse environmental impact, appropriate reparations must be conducted.

Exelon Generation’s Quad Cities Station must continue to meet all other effluent conditions in its NPDES permitalong with additional conditions contained in the provisional variance but not expressly listed above. 

The Illinois EPA has determined that any environmental impact from the variance would be closely monitored, and the Agency will be notified immediately of any adverse impacts; no reasonable alternative appears to be available; no public water supplies will be affected; no federal regulations would prohibit granting the request; and the facility would face an arbitrary and unreasonable hardship if the IEPA did not grant the requested variance. 

The provisional variance will run through March 31, 2012, at the latest. All other NPDES permit requirements will remain in effect.

Illinois EPA grants Exelon Quad Cities Station Provisional Variance from Discharge Requirements | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Springfield—The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) has granted the Exelon Generation’s LaSalle County Power Station a provisional variance from the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) water discharge permitted temperature limits, due to recent unseasonably warm weather conditions. 

LaSalle Station is an electric generating facility located in southeastern LaSalle County, six miles southeast of Marseilles. Circulating water used to cool and condense steam from the generating process is discharged into the Illinois River. 

LaSalle Station’s NPDES permit places limits on the temperature of the effluent versus the temperature of the river water during a given season, and gives the facility an allowance of excursion hours it can use if its discharge exceeds the temperature. Because of recent record breaking warm weather, the river temperature at the intake has already exceeded the maximum temperature standard. Without this provisional variance, LaSalle Station will be forced to stop the blow down of water from its cooling pond which, in turn, may compromise the integrity of the pond’s exterior dikes.

During the variance period, LaSalle Station must continuously monitor both discharge and receiving water temperatures and must visually inspect all discharge areas at least three times each day to assess the impact on aquatic life.   It must also notify the Illinois EPA and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources if aquatic life is shown to be affected. If the increased discharge temperature results in adverse environmental impact, appropriate reparations must be conducted.

Exelon LaSalle Power Station must continue to meet all other effluent conditions in its NPDES permitalong with additional conditions contained in the provisional variance but not expressly listed above. 

The Illinois EPA has determined that any environmental impact from the variance would be closely monitored, and the Agency will be notified immediately of any adverse impacts; no reasonable alternative appears to be available; no public water supplies will be affected; no federal regulations would prohibit granting the request; and the facility would face an arbitrary and unreasonable hardship if the IEPA did not grant the requested variance. 

The provisional variance will be in effect no later than March 31, 2012. All other NPDES permit requirements will remain in effect.

Illinois EPA grants Exelon LaSalle Station Provisional Variance from Discharge Requirements | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Springfield—The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) has granted the Ameren Edwards Power Station a provisional variance from the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) water discharge permitted temperature limits, due to recent unseasonably warm weather conditions. 

Edwards Station is a coal-fired electric generating facility located in Bartonville, Peoria County, on the west side of the Illinois River. Circulating water used to cool and condense steam from the generating process is discharged into the Illinois River. 

Ameren’s NPDES permit places limits onthe temperature of the effluent based on ambient river temperatures during a given season, and gives the Edwards Station an allowance of excursion hours it can use if its discharge exceeds the temperature. Because of recent record breaking warm weather, the river temperature at the intake has exceeded temperature standards; therefore the capacity of the river to dissipate heat has been reduced, causing the facility to exhaust the permitted excursion hours. In order to comply with the permit without a variance, Ameren Edwards would have to significantly cut back operation. Even if the Ameren Edwards plant would completely shut down, discharges at Outfall 002 would exceed the permitted values. 

During the variance period, Edwards Station must continuously monitor both discharge and receiving water temperatures and must visually inspect all discharge areas at least four times each day to assess the impact on aquatic life.   It must also notify the Illinois EPA and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources if aquatic life is shown to be affected. If the increased discharge temperature results in adverse environmental impact, appropriate reparations must be conducted. 

Ameren Edwards Power Station must continue to meet all other effluent conditions in its NPDES permit,along with additional conditions contained in the provisional variance but not expressly listed above. 

The Illinois EPA has determined that any environmental impact from the variance would be closely monitored, and the Agency will be notified immediately of any adverse impacts; no reasonable alternative appears to be available; no public water supplies will be affected; no federal regulations would prohibit granting the request; and the facility would face an arbitrary and unreasonable hardship if the IEPA did not grant the requested variance. 

The provisional variance will run through March 31, 2012, at the latest. All other NPDES permit requirements will remain in effect.

Illinois EPA grants Ameren Edwards Power Station Provisional Variance from Discharge Requirements | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Dresden Station is a nuclear-fueled steam electric generating facility located at the confluence of the DesPlaines and Kankakee Rivers near Morris. Circulating water used to cool and condense steam from the generating process is ultimately discharged into a cooling pond and then to the Illinois River. It does not come into contact with any radioactive components and does not have any impact on radiation risk.

During the variance period, Dresden Station must continuously monitor both discharge and receiving water temperatures and must visually inspect all discharge areas at least four times each day to assess the impact on aquatic life. It must also notify the Illinois EPA and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources if aquatic life is shown to be affected. If the increased discharge temperature results in adverse environmental impact, appropriate reparations must be conducted.

Exelon Generation’s Dresden Station must continue to meet all other effluent conditions in its NPDES permit, along with additional conditions contained in the provisional variance but not expressly listed above.

The Illinois EPA has determined that any environmental impact from the variance would be closely monitored, and the Agency will be notified immediately of any adverse impacts; no reasonable alternative appears to be available; no public water supplies will be affected; no federal regulations would prohibit granting the request; and the facility would face an arbitrary and unreasonable hardship if the IEPA did not grant the requested variance.

The provisional variance will run through March 31, 2012, at the latest. All other NPDES permit requirements will remain in effect.
Springfield—The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) has granted the Exelon Generation’s Dresden Station a provisional variance from certain temperature limits under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued to the facility, due to recent unseasonably warm weather conditions.

Dresden Station is a nuclear-fueled steam electric generating facility located at the confluence of the DesPlaines and Kankakee Rivers near Morris. Circulating water used to cool and condense steam from the generating process is ultimately discharged into a cooling pond and then to the Illinois River. It does not come into contact with any radioactive components and does not have any impact on radiation risk.

During the variance period, Dresden Station must continuously monitor both discharge and receiving water temperatures and must visually inspect all discharge areas at least four times each day to assess the impact on aquatic life. It must also notify the Illinois EPA and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources if aquatic life is shown to be affected. If the increased discharge temperature results in adverse environmental impact, appropriate reparations must be conducted.

Exelon Generation’s Dresden Station must continue to meet all other effluent conditions in its NPDES permit, along with additional conditions contained in the provisional variance but not expressly listed above.

The Illinois EPA has determined that any environmental impact from the variance would be closely monitored, and the Agency will be notified immediately of any adverse impacts; no reasonable alternative appears to be available; no public water supplies will be affected; no federal regulations would prohibit granting the request; and the facility would face an arbitrary and unreasonable hardship if the IEPA did not grant the requested variance.

The provisional variance will run through March 31, 2012, at the latest. All other NPDES permit requirements will remain in effect.
 

Illinois EPA grants Exelon Dresden Station Provisional Variance from Discharge Requirements | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Springfield—The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) has granted the Exelon Generation’s Braidwood Station a provisional variance from the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) water discharge permitted temperature limits, due to recent unseasonably warm weather conditions. 

Braidwood Station is a nuclear-fueled steam electric generating facility located approximately five miles from the Kankakee River at Braceville. Circulating water used to cool and condense steam from the generating process is ultimately discharged into a cooling pond, then to the Kankakee River.  It does not come into contact with any radioactive components and does not have any impact on radiation risk. 

Exelon’s NPDES permit places limits the temperature of the effluent versus the temperature of the river water during a given season, and gives Braidwood an allowance of excursion hours it can use if its discharge exceeds the temperature. Because of recent record breaking warm weather, the river temperature at the intake has exceeded temperature standards; therefore the capacity of the river to dissipate heat has been reduced, causing the facility to exhaust the permitted excursion hours. 

During the variance period, Braidwood Station must continuously monitor both discharge and receiving water temperatures and must visually inspect all discharge areas at least three times each day to assess the impact on aquatic life.   It must also notify the Illinois EPA and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources if aquatic life is shown to be affected. If the increased discharge temperature results in adverse environmental impact, appropriate reparations must be conducted.

Exelon Generation’s Braidwood Station must continue to meet all other effluent conditions in its NPDES permitalong with additional conditions contained in the provisional variance but not expressly listed above. 

The Illinois EPA has determined that any environmental impact from the variance would be closely monitored, and the Agency will be notified immediately of any adverse impacts; no reasonable alternative appears to be available; no public water supplies will be affected; no federal regulations would prohibit granting the request; and the facility would face an arbitrary and unreasonable hardship if the IEPA did not grant the requested variance. 

The provisional variance will be in effect no later than March 31, 2012. All other NPDES permit requirements will remain in effect.

Illinois EPA grants Exelon Braidwood Station Provisional Variance from Discharge Requirements | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Springfield—The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) has granted the DeKalb Sanitary District a provisional variance from certain National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) water discharge permit conditions, in order to complete necessary repairs to the rotary distributor of the #2 trickling filter.  

The DeKalb Sanitary District requested the variance in order to rebuild the rotary distributor, including bearings and seals. The distributor arms must be dismantled to achieve repairs. While the trickling filter is out of service the District will not be able to meet certain effluent limits and design maximum flow.

The DeKalb Sanitary District is the designated authority for planning, collection and treatment of wastewater in DeKalb Township, Afton Township and parts of Cortland Township.  The District currently serves approximately 55,000 users.  The District receives and treats all wastewater at its Main wastewater treatment plant. 

The DeKalb Sanitary District must continue to meet all other effluent conditions in its NPDES permit and must operate the treatment plant to produce the best effluent possible at all times. In addition, the District must closely monitor the Kishwaukee River and immediately notify the Agency of any adverse environmental impacts as a result of this discharge.

The Illinois EPA has determined that any environmental impact from the variance must be closely monitored, and the Agency must be notified immediately of any adverse impacts; no reasonable alternative appears to be available; no public water supplies will be affected; no federal regulations would prohibit granting the request; and the facility would face an arbitrary and unreasonable hardship if the Agency did not grant the requested variance. 

The provisional variance will end no later than April 13, 2012.

Illinois EPA grants DeKalb Sanitary District Provisional Variance from Permit Requirements | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Illinois EPA grants Provisional Variance to West End Disposal Landfill in Saline County – Variance is needed for disposal of debris from Feb. 29 Harrisburg Tornado | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has approved the revised schedule for the cleanup of contamination at the former New Jersey Zinc/Mobil Chemical Superfund site. 

The schedule was submitted by the DePue Group, which consists of CBS Corporation and the ExxonMobil Corporation, the parties responsible under Superfund and a State Interim Consent Order for cleaning up the site.  The schedule requires work at the Superfund site to move forward in a timely manner with enforceable deadlines.

Upcoming cleanup milestones include submittal of a Design Study for Operable Unit 4, Off-Site Soils, in early March and revision of a human health risk assessment for Operable Unit 5, Lake DePue, by the end of March. The schedule is based on timeframes defined in the Interim Consent Order between the State of Illinois and the DePue Group.

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Illinois EPA Approves Schedule to Move Superfund Cleanup Forward | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Oak Park—The Illinois EPA, in coordination with the Chicago Area Clean Cities coalition, designated 15 new Chicago area Green Fleets at an event held today in Oak Park. 

“These are family-owned and larger businesses, as well as public bodies, that have seen the value in supporting clean air, energy independence, jobs and providing insurance against the concern about high prices for gasoline and diesel,” said Interim Illinois EPA Director John Kim.

“These new Green Fleets join an elite fraternity of over 100 designated fleets throughout the state. We see more and more family-owned small businesses that are taking the initiative to purchase and convert their vehicles and equipment to run on a clean American fuel,” said Darwin Burkhart, program manager for the Illinois EPA and Chairman of Chicago Area Clean Cities.

The 15 new Illinois Green Fleets are:

Abt Electronics, a family-owned electronics and appliance store based in Glenview, uses biodiesel in its diesel truck fleet and has 30 vans that use E85 ethanol fuel and two vans that run on natural gas. In addition, the Abt family installed diesel oxidation catalysts on eight diesel delivery trucks to further reduce particulate emissions.

Groot Industries, a family operated waste hauler based in Elk Grove Village, has 33 refuse trucks that run on natural gas and has installed two natural gas refueling stations to share with other fleets. Other waste companies being recognized are Waste Management in Wheeling and Veolia ES Solid Waste in Northbrook with 33 and 20 natural gas refuse trucks, respectively.

Competitive Lawn Service, a small commercial lawn business in Downers Grove, is the first lawn and landscaping business in the country to convert many of its pickup trucks and mower equipment to propane. 

Doreen’s Pizzeria, a family-owned business in Calumet City, has seven natural gas-powered delivery trucks that display “Green Pizza Machines” on the sides of the vehicles.

Ozinga Ready Mix, a family-owned business in Mokena, is believed to be the first concrete company in the country to convert 14 of its mixing trucks to run on natural gas.

SCR Medical Transportation, a family run paratransit service in the Chicago area, operates 20 natural gas vans and shuttles for people needing mobility assistance. In addition, GO Airport Express operates two propane and two natural gas-powered shuttle vans and Yellow Cab Chicago has 79 natural gas taxis; both companies operate from O’Hare and Midway airports.

Other Green Fleets that are being acknowledged at the event are Northern Illinois University in DeKalb that uses E85, biodiesel, natural gas, and hybrid vehicles in many of its trucks, buses, campus police cars, and other campus vehicles and equipment; Chicago Park District that has E85, biodiesel, natural gas, hybrids and electric vehicles; Dillon Transport of Burr Ridge that uses E85 in the company’s flex fuel vehicles; Foodliner of Franklin Park that operates six Freightliner trucks on natural gas; and the DuPage County Division of Transportation that has nearly half its fleet running on E85, biodiesel, natural gas and electricity.   

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Illinois EPA Designates 15 Chicago Area “Green Fleets” | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

SPRINGFIELD – An Illinois Environmental Protection Agency contractor today is beginning cleanup of a dump site that has plagued the Lake Barrington – Wauconda area for decades. The cleanup is expected to take four to six weeks, weather permitting.  

The Agency is working with the Village of Lake Barrington through an intergovernmental agreement to complete cleanup of the 16-acre John Tarkowski property located in unincorporated Lake County. Tarkowski had been illegally receiving waste material on his property since the late 1960s, according to public records. 

“The Agency is pleased that we can finish cleanup of this environmental and safety hazard thanks to the efforts of the Village and their representatives in the General Assembly. The neighbors and the community have endured this mess too long,” said Illinois EPA Interim Director John Kim.   

This last phase of the cleanup is being funded through a $430,000 state grant supported by Sen. Dan Duffy (Barrington), and Rep. Kent Gaffney (Wauconda). Remaining wastes will be removed and disposed of in a permitted landfill. Any recyclable materials will be separated and recycled to help defray the overall cost of the cleanup.

 “The Village of Lake Barrington extends its thanks and appreciation to Governor Quinn, Sen. Dan Duffy, Rep. Kent Gaffney and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for their assistance in securing the funding for the final clean-up of the Tarkowski dumpsite located in the Lakeland Estates neighborhood of Lake Barrington,” said Lake Barrington Village President Kevin Richardson.  “These funds will address a vital environmental objective for the Village and help assure that the ground water in the northern part of our community remains protected.”

Acting on results of an investigation, in 2004 the Illinois EPA confirmed through surveillance that Tarkowski was allowing trucks hauling various waste materials to illegally dump waste on his property. A notice of intent to pursue legal action was sent to Tarkowski. Subsequent court hearings resulted in a court order in April 2006 that required John Tarkowski to pay a $150,000 penalty and conduct a systematic cleanup of the property. 

Tarkowski ignored the order and continued to allow dumping on the property; in July 2006 the Illinois EPA issued an Order to Seal the site to protect the public and the environment. Tarkowski removed the seal order sign within a few days and removed it again after the Agency replaced it. Illinois EPA worked with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, and Tarkowski was arrested for violating the seal order. Cost recovery actions are currently pending with the Illinois Attorney General’s office, and environmental liens have been placed on the property.

In 2006, the Illinois EPA conducted a partial cleanup which included spraying for mosquitoes to eliminate the risk of West Nile Virus, removing and recycling over 10,000 tires, removing and disposing various liquid waste containers, car batteries and various other special and hazardous wastes. An assortment of scrap metals and other materials were removed and when possible were recycled, which reduced the overall cost. Other costs were covered with funds from the Waste Tire Program.

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Illinois EPA to Clean Up Tarkowski Property | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.