Forecast: Snow and falling temperatures return
“I’m continuing to watch a more significant storm system that’s expected to impact the Midwest during the middle of next week, roughly January 9-10.” – Chambana meteorologist Andrew Pritchard.
Earth shattered global heat record in ’23 and it’s flirting with warming limit, European agency says
Earth last year shattered global annual heat records, flirted with the world’s agreed-upon warming threshold and showed more signs of a feverish planet, the European climate agency said Tuesday. The European climate agency Copernicus said the year was 1.48 degrees Celsius (2.66 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial times. That’s barely below the 1.5 degrees Celsius limit…
The Midwest could produce more biofuels and bio-based products. A federal bill aims to help
Legislation in Congress would expand a federal grant and loan program that helps producers of biofuels and other biomanufactured products build and expand their facilities. A Congressional bill proposed by Midwestern representatives from both parties is aimed at spurring innovation in biofuel technology and increasing its production. The Agriculture Biorefinery Innovation and Opportunity Act, or…
Winter Weather Advisory Sunday now-12pm CT
The National Weather Service in Lincoln issued a Winter Weather Advisory for central Illinois, including Champaign-Urbana and Danville.
Lifted moratorium will allow Illinois to build new nuclear reactors
Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a bill into law Friday that will lift the three-decade moratorium on developing nuclear reactors. The law, which takes effect in June 2024, will allow the development of generation IV power plants, which are also known as small modular reactors or SMRs. Currently Illinois, and most other states, use generation II reactors. Illinois generates…
Pritzker signs law lifting moratorium on nuclear reactors
It adds a study on the risks of new nuclear technology and puts a state agency in charge of oversight, issues missing from the original plan.
Rain/Snow mix expected Monday evening in central Illinois
From NWS Lincoln: Minor disturbances will affect the area tonight and Monday night, bringing a mix of light rain and snow. No snow accumulation or travel impacts are expected.
Kickapoo Rail Trail on track for two-year completion with $11.2 million state grant.
After seven years of construction, less than half of the 24-mile Kickapoo Rail Trail in east-central Illinois has been completed. But now, the project could be finished in the next two years, thanks to a state grant. An $11.2 million grant, awarded through the state’s Rebuild Illinois Capital plan will pay for the completion of the walking and bike path.
3 climate impacts the U.S. will see if warming goes beyond 1.5 degrees
As world leaders gather at COP28, the annual climate change negotiations held in Dubai this year, one number will be front and center: 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit). That’s the amount countries have agreed to limit warming to by the end of the century. The world is already perilously close to that number. Since…
Snow ends, Bitter cold on Monday and Tuesday
Meteorologists at the National Weather Service in Lincoln are forecasting the first snow of the season Sunday for parts of central Illinois. The accumulation will range from a dusting to an inch of snow. Below are the latest forecasts and updates from the NWS, meteorologist Andrew Pritchard, and IPM News team members.
A new rail trail planned for rural Piatt County could be part of something bigger.
Plans are in the works to construct a 2.3-mile rail trail in a rural area of Piatt County. As initially reported by columnist Tom Kacich in the News-Gazette, the proposed shared-used path would use the railroad right-of-way originally established for railroad tracks as a route for walking, running and cycling between the small towns of…
Lawmakers set to consider nuclear energy on final day of veto session
No movement on efforts to extend scholarship tax credit, allow legislative staff to unionize.
Illinois Senate approves plan to allow new nuclear reactors
Proponents say the plan endorsed Wednesday will ensure the state can meet its carbon-free power production promise by 2045.
Controversial pipeline canceled amid safety concerns, regulatory pushback
Other projects still on the table as advocates, industry groups debate regulatory reform.
The Piatt County Board, with reluctance, approves the county’s first wind farm
The Piatt County Board voted 4-2 on Friday to approve a special use permit for a wind farm in the county. But several members made it clear they were approving the Prosperity Wind project reluctantly, as a new Illinois law gave them no real choice in the matter.