Environmental Initiatives

Karen May's record and committee assignments demonstrate her commitment to environmental issues and their critical role in the quality of life of residents in the district and throughout Illinois.

In April 2010 Karen was named chair of the House Renewable Energy Committee, which deals with legislation regarding the deployment of energy-efficient technologies and earth-friendly, renewable energy generation. The Committee also serves as a venue for state groups interested in discussing custom strategies to encourage their adoption in urban, suburban, and rural areas. Click here to read more.

Karen has been working closely with the U.S. Green Buildings Council on green initiatives. According to Doug Widener, Executive Director of the USGBC-Illinois, "Karen has been a key supporter of the USGBC and has worked closely with both the USGBC National and the Illinois Chapter. In addition to providing leadership and direction to the Springfield Advocacy training last April, we are currently collaborating with her on House Joint Resolution 45. HJR 45 creates a LEED Task Force chaired by the USGBC Illinois Chapter and is tasked with making recommendations to the Illinois General Assembly by November 1, 2010 on a prospective state program for greening existing schools and potential funding sources for such a program. We look forward to working with Representative May on this and future initiatives." Read more about Karen's work with the USGBC.

Karen has also recently spoken out about coal-fired power plants and the environmental impact of tire burning as an energy source.

See Karen's News page for press releases about other green legislation and initiatives she has undertaken.