SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Gov. Pat Quinn marked Earth Day by ordering state agencies to cut waste and making the Governor’s Mansion more environmentally friendly, but he gave a cold shoulder to fighting pollution through Illinois taxes and regulations.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Gov. Pat Quinn marked Earth Day by ordering state agencies to cut waste and making the Governor’s Mansion more environmentally friendly, but he gave a cold shoulder to fighting pollution through Illinois taxes and regulations. After signing an executive order Wednesday requiring state agencies to conserve energy and reduce pollution, Quinn said he remains opposed to raising gasoline taxes, even if that would encourage the use of more fuel-efficient cars. He also said "the best way to go" on cutting air pollution is to have a single federal standard for auto emissions, rather than joining the 14 other states that have adopted their own standard. His position puts the Chicago Democrat at odds with Illinois environmental groups, who want the state to adopt policies discouraging pollution that contributes to global warming. "We have a responsibility here. We have an opportunity here. We hope the governor will help," said Charles Jackson, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council. The Environmental Council and the group Environment Illinois were gentle in their criticism. The groups’ leaders praised Quinn’s record as an environmentalist and said they’re talking to his administration about what policies he’ll support after his sudden elevation to the governor’s office. Quinn’s executive order requires agencies to adopt more eco-friendly policies in many areas. They’ll have to reduce solid waste by at least 40 percent by the year 2015, for instance, and cut use of electricity and natural gas 25 percent by 2025. Construction work in areas with poor air quality will have to adopt low-pollution techniques. Agencies must buy more hybrid or electric vehicles. He signed the order outside the Governor’s Mansion, where Quinn announced that low-energy LED lights are being installed and barrels will now collect rainwater for use on the mansion’s lawn and gardens. "The greenest state in America — that’s our goal," Quinn said. Some environmental advocates support higher taxes to reduce the use of gasoline and the pollution it creates. Raising the gasoline tax also has supporters as a way to raise revenue when Illinois faces a massive budget deficit. But Quinn said that would hit poor families the hardest. "It’s not based on ability to pay," he said. "You have to balance fairness considerations." Led by California, a number of states have adopted auto-emission standards that are tougher than federal standards. Environmentalists want Illinois to do the same, hoping that car companies would simply begin following the stricter standard. "Since we’re a really big market, this could be the turning point where it becomes impractical for carmakers to make two sets of cars," said Max Muller, program director for Environment Illinois. Illinois also could crack down on older, high-pollution power plants that burn coal. But Quinn said he prefers a single national standard. "Obviously, global warming is something that we have to deal with," he said. "Probably the best way to go is where we have a federal standard that all states comply with when it comes to global warming issues." ______ Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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