The Stateline Clean Air Coalition, along with residents across the Illinois and Wisconsin Stateline, are overburdened by industrial air pollution, and we are calling on WPL/Alliant, the region's top polluter, to invest in the greater Stateline community with this purchase. 

The PM2.5 in the air we breathe is harming our community and contributing to increased rates of asthma, chronic disease, and early death.  At present, there is no regulatory PM 2.5 monitor in Beloit.  We need this monitor to ensure public health is centered and protected alongside all industrial expansions and projects.  

Concerned community members have led a community monitoring effort with community PM2.5 monitors.  Their preliminary results continue to validate their concerns: pollution in the Stateline Area is high and likely harming the health of residents.  Unfortunately, these community-level monitors cannot be used for regulatory purposes and have little ability to help state regulators enforce clean air laws or protect our communities from industry.

PM 2.5 air pollution negatively impacts nearly every organ system throughout the lifespan.  It contributes to multiple respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cancer, heart attacks, and strokes. It can also increase rates of autoimmune disease, kidney disease, and neurodegenerative disease, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.  PM2.5 can also negatively impact reproductive health, fetal outcomes, fetal development, neurocognitive development, and contribute to increased rates of autism, ASD, and ADHD.  

We, the undersigned, request that Alliant Energy pay for the purchase, installation, and maintenance of a regulatory particulate matter (PM2.5) air monitor in the City of Beloit, WI. 

This regulatory PM 2.5 monitor would be independently purchased by Alliant Energy (WPL) with the goal of integrating into the WI Department of Natural Resources (DNR)’s air monitoring network.  The estimated cost is approximately $90,000 for purchase and $20,000 annually to maintain.  This monitor must remain operational and independently funded as long as the Riverside Alliant Gas Plant is operating.  This monitor must be sited where the community, DNR, and EPA have deemed the best place in the City of Beloit to capture accurate air quality readings.

The goal of this regulatory monitoring is to ensure the community’s air, environment, and health are prioritized and protected by all parties.  This utility investment would depend upon a multi-party agreement between Alliant Energy, the Stateline Clean Air Coalition, and the WI DNR.  This regulatory monitor must be operated and maintained in partnership with the WI DNR.

Alliant Energy's Riverside Energy Center (REC) reported very high emission levels.  In 2023, Alliant Energy's REC reported over 1 million metric tons more GHGs than all reporting industrial emitters in Cook County.  While REC is permitted through the WI DNR, there is no effort to appreciate the cumulative impacts of all area industries to protect community health.  Rock County residents deserve year-round regulatory monitoring of particulate matter (PM 2.5)  to ensure our communities are safe and within attainment of federal air standards (NAAQS).  We need this proof, and community air monitoring is not enough.   

The undersigned recognize that Alliant Energy, WPL, prides itself on being a good neighbor. Being the largest reporting emitter in Rock County, it is only fair that Alliant Energy pay for this monitor to prove that our air quality is as safe as they claim and that our communities are not being harmed.  Since Alliant wants to continue to expand its methane gas capacity, possibly at the expense of Beloit and other downwind communities, we are asking Alliant to make this investment to ensure our health is protected.