Overview
Question: What role should renewable energy play in the state of Illinois's overall energy mix? What role can/should the state government play in supporting clean energy?
Premise: State legislature hearing
Major roles (10-minute presentation of your case in favor or against the types of policies enacted in California):
Oil and gas lobbyist - Dezy
Solar & Wind energy lobbyist - Aileen
Power and Electric lobbyist - Lea
Minor Roles (Administer the hearing and ask at least one question of each lobbyist after their presentations):
Republican congressmen (Kedar & Randall)
Democratic congressmen (Diego & Liam)
Resources
Required Reading
- California's Clean Energy Future: The state of California has recently adopted several aggressive policies intended to promote clean energy. This website describes the specific initiatives.
- Read a summary of current energy resources, demand, and policy in Illinois
Additional Reading
Additional Resources
- ABI Inform
For the business perspective, this database "features thousands of full-text journals, dissertations, working papers, key business and economics periodicals such as the Economist, country-and industry-focused reports, and downloadable data." - The CQ Researcher
"Provides award winning in-depth coverage of the most important issues of the day. [R]eports are written by experienced journalists, footnoted and professionally fact-checked. Full-length articles include an overview, historical background, chronology, pro/con feature, plus resources for additional research. Graphics, photos and short "sidebar" features round out the reports. Shorter "Hot Topics" articles provide a solid introduction to subjects most in demand by students."
- Green.Illinois.Gov
Information on environmental issues and public policy in the state of Illinois.
- National Republican Party Platform on Energy
- Illinois Republican Party Platform
Scroll to page 8 to begin reading energy-specific information.
- National Democratic Party Platform
Look in the "Issues" section for relevant topics.
- Top Energy Lobbyists of 2010
Gives an idea of who energy lobbyists are and what they do.
- Lexis Nexis
Search here for news articles; using terms like "energy lobbyists" might help convey these groups' aims and activities. - How a Bill Becomes Law in Illinois (and what happens at a hearing) - Narrative Explanation
- How a Bill Become Law in Illinois - Flowchart
- How a Bill Becomes a Law - Schoolhouse Rock style
