Ecology Action Center

At the Bloomington Public Library on Wednesday, residents heard about the reasons behind the rising costs of energy from Nick Hylla, executive director of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association [MREA].

The forum is scheduled for 5-8 p.m. on Aug. 26 at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts. Questions will be submitted electronically before the event.

The Ecology Action Center said in its regular greenhouse gas emission inventory report that McLean County reduced emission levels by 10%, and local governments by 15% since 2008. It's equal to more than 200,000 metric tons of emissions.

The Midwest Renewable Energy Association and the Ecology Action Center based in Normal have planned an energy presentation next month to address public concerns about data centers and other factors that may impact the electric grid.

An air quality alert is in effect Monday for a second straight day in Bloomington-Normal and most of Illinois, as smoke from Canadian wildfires drifts into the U.S. The air quality locally was deemed Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.

Illinois residents can register by appointment only via HHWmclean.org or by phone at 309-468-6449. The deadline to register is Aug. 18 at noon.

Members of the community gathered on Tuesday at 506 Gridley St. for an official groundbreaking ceremony.

The nonprofit Ecology Action Center projects Bloomington-Normal's utility aggregation program will cost residential customers more money for electricity this year than staying with Ameren.

Ecology Action Center has more fundraising to do before identifying a location for a countywide hazardous waste collection site. It's the largest project the Normal nonprofit has ever attempted.

McLean County has four drop-off locations for disposal of latex and oil-based paints.