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Protecting the health of our loved ones is something we can all agree on.
Who we are: The Stateline Clean Air Coalition is a group of committed organizations (nonprofits, service providers, service organizations, local government, local government agencies, private industry, and concerned, knowledgeable, and invested individuals) from the greater Wisconsin-Illinois Stateline Area working together to develop and implement a comprehensive plan to clean up our air and improve our community health and resiliency.
What we do: Our work includes inclusive community education, outreach, and programming to elevate the magnitude of health harms from air pollution, expand opportunities for community monitoring, and develop a resource network to support those at greatest risk. The SCAC will advocate for collaboration with local government, regulatory agencies, and industry to invest in air pollution prevention to benefit the health of all who visit, live, and play in the Stateline area now and for generations to come.
Air Pollution Impacts in the Greater Wisconsin - Illinois Stateline Area
High Health Costs: High asthma and chronic disease rates are often associated with high levels of air pollution. Rock County, Wisconsin, has the fifth-highest rates of asthma-related hospitalizations. Winnebago and Stephenson Counties have some of the highest asthma rates in Illinois.
High Social Costs: Air pollution costs the community in health-related expenses, days missed from school, and days missed from work. It also drives climate change, which is driving more frequent, severe weather events that impact vulnerable communities the most.
Methane Gas Plants: In 2023, Alliant's Riverside Energy Center emitted over 2.8 million metric tons of carbon emissions, which is more than all 23 industrial polluters in Cook County, IL, combined. Despite this high-polluting facility, they continue to propose expanding their fossil fuel investments and thus, pollution in the Stateline. This contradicts Alliant's stated commitment to achieve “net-zero carbon emissions from power generation by 2050”.
Pollution Keeps Climbing: According to the EPA EJ Screening Tool, the Stateline ranks 95-100% in toxic chemical releases to the air.
On May 13th, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) opened its public comment period for its 2026 Air Monitoring Network Plan. Unfortunately, their plan does NOT include recommendations to expand PM2.5 monitoring in Beloit or Rock County, so now is the time to raise our voices!
Please share your concerns and story with the WI DNR as we repeat our ask for a regulatory PM2.5 monitor in Beloit via written comment or by speaking at the upcoming public hearing.
Submit a written comment via this COMMENT TOOL. They are accepting written public comments through June 27th. Comment TODAY!
Featured SCAC Events:
How the Stateline Clean Air Coalition (SCAC) started:
Concerned community members identified a problem: high industrial air pollution, poor public health metrics, and a concerning lack of regulatory air monitoring. With the support of Healthy Climate Wisconsin and the Thriving Earth Exchange, they coordinated a collaborative community science project and started to monitor their air. Initial analysis supported their concerns. Local pollution levels were trending high. Shortly after this, the 2023 IQAIR report was published, and Beloit was found to be the most polluted regional city in the USA. Because of the leadership of this early group, Beloit had PM monitors and was able to be considered in this study. Unfortunately, the results were again concerning.
They needed better data. After repeatedly requesting the WI Department of Natural Resources (DNR) expand their regulatory monitoring in Beloit, they were repeatedly met with, "we are in compliance with EPA requirements." It was clear more needed to be done.
In the spring of 2024, the Stateline Clean Air Coalition (SCAC) was established.
Making Change through Community Education
Classroom presentations: members of the coalition have presented in local and regional classrooms from middle school to graduate level.
Community Education: the SCAC has hosted a number of community education and engagement events.
If you're interested in having a member of SCAC speak to your classroom or group, please submit a message in the form above!
Making Change through Advocacy
Engaging with the Wisconsin DNR, requesting the expansion of regulatory monitoring in Rock County, including a PM2.5 monitor in Beloit.
Engaging with the WI Public Service Commission (PSC). Unfortunately, Alliant Energy, the utility monopoly serving this area, is proposing to build a new gas in the Town of Beloit. Committed to their mission, four members of the SCAC legally intervened to oppose the expansion of this gas plant.
Engaging with Elected Officials. From local and county to state and federal, the SCAC believes that all of our elected officials should be prioritizing public and community health with all decisions. The SCAC is working to make our elected officials aware of the unjust levels of air pollution that are harming our communities and health.
Advocating for Clean Energy Solutions. To clean our air, we must prevent pollution. To maintain energy and industry without burning coal and gas, we must transition to clean energy generation. The SCAC is committed to exploring and supporting clean energy opportunities within the Stateline Area.
Air Pollution is a health issue!
The high levels of industrial air pollution in the IL-WI Stateline is causing harm to local communities. While it remains under monitored, organizations and members in the community are stepping up and demanding change!
Explore the following resources to learn and share why air pollution is a serious health issue.
Action Toolkit
Energy Justice
Action Toolkit
Take actionable steps toward a more equitable energy system
Stateline Clean Air Coalition Members
Our coalition is composed of longstanding service, educational, and advocacy organizations from across the Stateline Area. Each organization is committed to addressing air pollution to improve the health and well-being of area residents.
