Illinois gov talks energy

Chicago is on the forefront of green thanks to Mayor Daly - now Illinois gov Rod Blagojevich is hopping on board with a new energy plan for the state. Part of his $1.2 billion plan includes ethanol plants, biodiesel plants, and some biomass/waste-to-fuel facilities.

The thing that's really great about this though is that Blagojevich is running for re-election in November. This energy plan is part of his campaign. One article mentions that his opponent sees this as a dastardly strategy... "Blagojevich's GOP challenger, state Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, disparaged the plan. 'Rod Blagojevich has had four years to act on energy, but instead has chosen to wait until campaign season to simply talk about it again,' her campaign said in a statement." I am curious to know what HER plan is.

If energy is an issue in Illinois, and Gov. Brian Schweitzer is making it an issue in Montana, and there are a few congress people making it an issue in Washington state, this should be a fun November to watch as green issues work their way onto the campaign trail. Hopefully a good lead up to the prez elections in 2008...

Via NY Times, AP, Reuters