Clean Power Lake County Campaign had a great 2016
For most, 2016 was a year that couldn’t come to an end soon enough. However, for the Clean Power Lake County (CPLC) Campaign, 2016 saw some major victories.
December, in particular, has given the CPLC a great amount of positive momentum to bring into the new year. The signing of the Futures Clean Energy Jobs Bill by our state legislators has the potential to create thousands of new jobs in the sustainable energy industry, and bring real clean energy projects into Waukegan. This was legislation that members of CPLC advocated for in Springfield for over two years.
Also, the CPLC hit the national spotlight when featured in the National Geographic Channel’s “Years of Living Dangerously” television show that aired on Dec. 14. The episode featured CPLC volunteers who got to tell their story of the work to secure a retirement date and transition plan for the coal plant owned by NRG Energy, and to build a healthier, clean energy future for Waukegan.
As alderman of the 4th Ward in Waukegan, I am proud to be a volunteer, and I encourage my colleagues to join the effort. At the final Waukegan City Council meeting of 2016, two fellow aldermen, Lisa May and Sam Cunningham, made strong statements of support for CPLC.
With momentous victories to close out the year, the CPLC will be working even harder in 2017 to get more community members and elected officials to help realize a new vision for Waukegan and leave our polluted industrial past behind.
David Villalobos, Waukegan
