FACT SHEET

Changing the Clean Jobs Bill

1. Pollution from power plants is a serious health concern in Illinois
The Illinois electric sector emitted 94,420,749 metric tons of
carbon dioxide in 2012 and coal-fired power plants accounted for
95% of the emissions
Of the 12.8 million Illinois residents, 3.3 million are currently at
risk for developing serious health conditions due to air pollution,
including adult and pediatric asthma, cardiovascular disease,
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and diabetes.
In 2009, slightly more than 32,000 deaths in adults aged 35 and
older were attributed to cardiovascular disease in Illinois.
In 2010, more than 200,000 hospitalizations in Illinois were due
to diseases and disorders of the circulatory system and resulted
in nearly $10 billion in hospital costs.
In Illinois, current youth-asthma prevalence is higher (9.8%) than
the United States (8.4%).
2. The pollution from power plants in Illinois is concentrated in EJ
communities
According to the American Lung Association more than 6.7
million people in Illinois already live in an area where the air is
unsafe to breath. Nearby residents are disproportionately lowincome and people of color.
Illinois received NAACPs Worst Offender on their national
failing list regarding environmental justice impact-with nine
coal plants found to disproportionately harm the poor and
communities of color across the state.
3. Both US EPA and States have responsibilities to ensure EJ is being
addressed in a states Final Implementation Plan for the Federal Clean
Power Plan
US EPA must ensure that its state-funded partners conform to
the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which dictates that
state action: 1) Provide a full and complete opportunity for public
participation, and 2) do not cause a significant, adverse and
disproportionate effect on people receiving Title VI protection.
US EPAs proposal for the final Clean Power Plan includes several
mandates for states when developing their own plans, including

providing opportunities for the public to comment on the states

initial plan and working with stakeholders to identify EJ
communities.