Illinois, like many states, continues to seek innovative solutions for cleaner air.

The Biden administration recently selected the Illinois International Port District for funding under the Clean Ports Program.

It'll guide the port sector to transition to fully zero-emissions operations, and identify ways to reduce emissions to align with port industry standard practices.

Executive Director of Inland Rivers, Ports, and Terminals Aimee Andres said she sees the benefits of the program - but questions what happens as improvements are made.

"A lot of the grants, the EPA grants, that have come out," said Andres, "they're talking about, 'let's retrofit your material handler that may run on diesel to say, now be powered by an electric engine or a higher tiered, less emission motor, right?' What are you doing with the old one?"

The grants will build on the Environmental Protection Agency's Ports Initiative, which helps the nation's ports address public health and environmental impacts on surrounding communities.

The EPA says it intends to finalize grant agreements by January. According to the Illinois International Port District website, the ports move more than 19 million tons of general waterborne cargo every year.

The U.S. Department of Energy says the shipping industry is responsible for around 3% of global greenhouse emissions.

Funding for the Illinois International Port District will address hydrogen fueling infrastructure, solar energy and battery storage, along with hydrogen and electric cargo handling equipment.

Andres said if a community wants to invest in alternative fuel sources, everyone's input should be considered.

"You can have a community who wants to invest in an alternative fuel source, like LNG, CNG, solar, etc," said Andres, "but if you're transporting throughout the entire route, you're going to have to have that same fuel source throughout the longevity of the transit, right? So, a community in Illinois, while it's great that they're exploring alternative fuels, they actually need to be nationwide."

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 provides the EPA with $3 billion to fund zero-emission port equipment and infrastructure, as well as climate and air quality planning at U.S. ports.

Illinois International Port District owns three locations on the southeast side of Chicago, totaling nearly 1,700 acres.

These include Iroquois Landing, Lake Calumet Harbor, and Harborside International Golf Center.





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Athens, Alabama, is bouncing back after an EF-1 tornado ripped through its downtown late Saturday night, leaving devastation but sparing lives.

Now, days into recovery, city crews and volunteers have cleared most debris, reopened streets and restored power to most homes and businesses.

Ronnie Marks, mayor of Athens, credits the quick response and community spirit for the progress made so far.

"We are so fortunate that we don't have any injuries or any fatalities," Marks pointed out. "The tough news is it's hit our downtown, but overall our city and county workers have done a tremendous job in cleaning up debris, rooftops laying in the middle of the street."

According to the city's Facebook page, additional damage includes fallen trees blocking major roads, structural damage to public buildings such as Fire Station Number 3, and debris in key areas like Pryor Street and the Veterans Museum.

Marks noted the tornado's toll on local businesses has been severe, with some potentially facing total losses. He added among the hardest hit was a local bookstore, which suffered catastrophic roof damage. Marks emphasized the importance of rallying around these businesses as they rebuild.

"There's some severe damage to some of the small business people and that's their livelihood, and it's ours and we're supportive," Marks emphasized. "For example, the CEI bookstore is totally destroyed. A lot of other businesses have rooftops and HVACs blown off of the top of their building."

Marks stressed community volunteers have stepped up to clear debris and provide meals to city workers, with support pouring in from across the state and even as far as Tennessee. The Limestone County Emergency Management Agency is actively documenting the damage to determine if the area qualifies for additional aid.


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It has been just over three months since Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina, leaving communities to rebuild and recover.

As the immediate relief efforts wind down, the focus is shifting to the more complex challenges of long-term recovery.

Jennifer Tolle Whiteside, president of the North Carolina Community Foundation, said rebuilding is just one piece of the puzzle. Many other critical needs require ongoing attention and support.

"There are infrastructure, including roads and bridges and houses that will need to be rebuilt," Tolle Whiteside pointed out. "We are particularly concerned about mental health issues, sort of the education and effect on children and communities, as well as some of the basic needs."

Gov. Roy Cooper recently announced $15.5 Million from the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund will go to the North Carolina Community Foundation to support long-term recovery from Hurricane Helene. The figure is in addition to the $12 million the foundation has already raised, which will be distributed as grants to nonprofits serving Western North Carolina.

Tolle Whiteside noted the foundation's 19 affiliates in Western North Carolina are playing a key role in identifying the specific needs of each community as recovery efforts continue. The local partners are not only assessing the damage but helping to prioritize resources for critical issues such as housing, mental health and education. She stressed while progress is being made, the work is far from over and sustained support will be essential for years to come.

"These issues are long-term in nature and it's going to take a long road to recovery," Tolle Whiteside emphasized. "These communities need our continued support and attention."

Recent estimates from Gov. Roy Cooper's office indicated the damage from Hurricane Helene has escalated to nearly $60 billion, surpassing the first estimate of about $54 billion released in October. The damage costs are roughly 3.5 times those of Hurricane Florence in 2018.


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Wisconsin is ending the year on a high note in the clean energy space, with some notables like a first-of-its-kind energy dome and approval for the largest solar project in state history.

Together, the Columbia Energy Storage Project and the Vista Sands Solar Project are expected to generate enough energy to power more than 200,000 Wisconsin homes.

Oliver Schmitz, associate dean for research innovation in the College of Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said in a state importing about 70% of the energy it uses, projects like these are key to reducing the number.

"I think in terms of the priorities, it's not only to realize clean energy as an energy source for the entire population, but also to leverage the opportunities that come with the clean energy technologies," Schmitz contended.

Opportunities like using Wisconsin's strong manufacturing base to work toward clean energy projects, Schmitz added. Other areas include new careers and workforce, a reduction in pollutants contributing to climate change, and lower energy costs across the state.

Though Wisconsin ranks around the middle of the pack nationwide for clean energy development, the state has been able to maximize some federal initiatives in the past year to fund statewide projects. Schmitz believes the most important component in recent advancements is community involvement.

"Many of those, technology discovery is community driven," Schmitz pointed out. "People who consume energy, the communities out in the state are thinking about, 'What is the fit for our community?'"

He added now, the state would do well to focus on its baseload capacity or replacing coal plants with equivalent units of continuous energy. The state announced this month a second delay of Columbia County's coal plant retirement. Schmitz believes nuclear power technologies could also be considered.


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