Law Will Help Protect Communities from Undue Environmental Harm  

CHICAGO - August 16, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation calling for an assessment of Illinois' environmental laws and policies to ensure that no segment of the population will disproportionately bear the adverse environmental and health effects caused by pollution.  

"Race, income or nationality should not determine the quality of the air one breathes or the water one drinks," Governor Quinn said. "We want to make sure that all Illinois families live in healthy communities. This commission will help us strengthen environmental laws so that every Illinois resident has clean air and clean water."     

Senate Bill 2193, sponsored by Sen. Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights) and Rep. Will Davis (D- East Hazel Crest), creates the Environmental Justice Act and the Commission on Environmental Justice.  The commission is tasked with reviewing and analyzing current state laws and policies. Based upon review, the commission will make recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly to address environmental justice concerns.  

"As a mother of three, I'm personally committed to making sure that all children grow up in communities where clean air and water are protected so that they can develop into health adults," said Sen. Hutchinson. "The aim of this council will be geared towards ensuring that a person's income, age, race or nationality does not mean they must be relegated to living in an unsafe environment. I thank Governor Quinn for recognizing this fact by signing this bill into law."  

The new law addresses concerns about rising asthma rates and other health indicators in parts of the state, especially in minority communities. Medical researchers have observed a connection between types of industry present in a community and childhood asthma rates.   

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) is tasked with providing the commission with administrative and other support. The membership will comprise designated members of the General Assembly, community members, environmental and business organizations, health experts, local government and members of the public with expertise in environmental justice. In addition to IEPA, the council includes members from the Departments on Aging, Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Natural Resources, Public Health and Transportation.  

The new law goes into effect immediately. 

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Roof Top Sedums proves going 'green' can be economical and beautiful

  Springfield ,  IL  / July 19^th, 2011 - Cattle and hogs aren't the only animals being watched at the Illinois Department of Agriculture these days.  Employees at the State's Department of Agriculture building have been following the progress of three families of Killdeer that have nested in the 20,000 square foot green roof that was installed June 15, 2010.   These fledglings are showing the w or ld just one of the many benefits of a green roof.  

The Department of Agriculture building is one of the largest projects to date grown by Roof Top Sedums of Davenport, whose portfolio includes prototype projects in tornado-devastated   Greensburg ,  KS  , a town that is arising from the rubble of one of the worst episodes of tornado destruction in recent memory.    Greensburg   is re-inventing itself as a laboratory for green construction methods.   The LiveRoof® Hybrid Green Roof System grown by Roof Top Sedums, LLC covers both Greensburg 's   Kiowa   County   Commons   and the Silo Eco-house, one of the world's first buildings designed to be tornado resistant.  The LiveRoof® System is also featured on the roof of West Des Moines Historic City Hall at Valley Junction and Iowa City's new East Side Recycling Center which shares a building with Habitat for Humanity's Re-Store resale shop.   Additionally, hospital patients at  Genesis   Medical   Center  at East Rusholme in   Davenport   have been enjoying a lush view of more than 42 varieties of sedum and allium plants that now cover the center portion of the facility's rooftop.  Each project saw a green roof as a beautiful way to save money and improve their environment. 

In addition to providing a habitat in the midst of crowded cities, green roofs provide natural heat and sound insulation to buildings.  Green roofs extend the life of roofing materials by protecting them from the extreme variations in temperatures and photo degradation.  Green roofs reduce the 'heat island' effect in cities and reduce storm water run-off and reduce carbon dioxide in the environment.  While some green roof systems can take many years to establish, the LiveRoof® System grown by Roof Top Sedums of Davenport, IA allowed certified LiveRoof® installers to quickly convert a barren rooftop into a lush mix of well-established, custom-grown sedum ground cover plants.  "LiveRoof® not only adds beauty to the project, it is extremely efficient and low-maintenance.  It enhances the environment, wherever it is," said Roxanne Nagel, General Manager of Roof Top Sedums. 

Besides using well-established plants grown in soil specially engineered for the extremes of a rooftop environment, the LiveRoof® System also features a patent-pending hybrid design that combines the best features of all green roof systems. The LiveRoof® System creates tremendous savings on maintenance costs because the 95% fully-vegetated modules have mature plants that act as their own living mulch.

Roof Top Sedums is a Regional LiveRoof® Licensed Grower servicing  Iowa, Western Illinois, Eastern Nebraska, Eastern Kansas, and most of Missouri and has been in business since 2007.  The business is 100% women-owned and certified nationally as a Women's Business Enterprise as well as an Iowa Targeted Small Business.  Co-founder Teresa Nelson explains, "We have had tremendous success in the past four years and are excited about the reputation and attention our company is getting as our business grows." For more information on projects previously grown by Roof Top Sedums or information about the LiveRoof® System, visit www.rooftopsedums.com and follow the link to www.liveroof.com.                                         

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Pushes for Help in Benton, Marshall, Story and Tama Counties

Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) and the IowaHouse delegation sent a letter to President Obama urging him to provide disaster assistance to Iowa following the severe storms earlier this month in Benton, Marshall, Story and Tama counties.

"These storms severely damaged Iowa schools, hospitals, fire stations and electricity and communications infrastructure," said Rep. Braley. "I strongly urge the President to provide assistance to help Iowa's families, communities, and businesses rebuild as quickly as possible."

A copy of the letter is available here and pasted below: http://go.usa.gov/Kcj

The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

As you know, Governor Terry Branstad has requested that you declare a major disaster for the Iowa counties of Benton, Marshall, Story and Tama.  These counties were significantly impacted by severe weather earlier this month, which resulted in significant infrastructure and property damage.

The severe storms began on July 9, triggering a chain of damage-causing events, lasting through July 10, when 100 MPH winds caused the damage in the counties noted above.  Thereafter, on July 13^th, heavy rainfall caused flooding in other counties (Dickinson and Clay), causing road closures, and extensive property damage.  Again, on July 15^th, severe storms caused flash floods in Cerro Gordo, Floyd and Worth Counties.  Finally, on July 22, severe storms caused significant damage in Black Hawk, Butler, Grundy, Hardin, Jasper, Marion and Poweshiek Counties.

The toll from these storms includes damage to local schools, hospitals, emergency communications facilities and fire stations.  Moreover, electrical utility infrastructure damage remains a major concern over a broad area, as is the case for telecommunications infrastructure, agriculture infrastructure (including crop damage & livestock losses) and municipal water pumping stations.

Given the scope of the damage and losses in Iowa at this time, and the potential for realization of further losses, we strongly urge you to grant Governor Branstad's request for assistance under the Stafford Assistance Act.

Sincerely,

Bruce Braley
Leonard Boswell
Dave Loebsack
Tom Latham
Steve King

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Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement after severe storms hit parts of Iowa:

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