Chicago's CTA 'L' trains, touted as an environmentally friendly mode of transportation, rely heavily on fossil fuels for power. Although the city is making strides towards 100% renewable energy, the CTA continues to depend on nuclear and fossil fuel power plants, contributing to climate change. This disparity highlights the need for the CTA to transition to cleaner energy sources, such as solar power, which is readily available in Illinois.
Nearly 500,000 people ride Chicago Transit Authority 'L' trains every day. It's very convenient, efficient, cost-effective for sure, said Adrian Vasquez. The CTA also advertises its 'L' trains as a green way to travelâhelping the environment by keeping polluting cars off the roads. 'I think it's much better for the environment, and it's one of the reasons I take the train,' said Jan Boudart. But running the trains takes a lot of powerâwith the CTA 's electric bill totaling $36.
2 million last year. And while the average CTA commuter may not think about it, all that power has to come from somewhere. And it turns out more of the electricity that powers the trains is generated by fossil fuels that warm the climate than by renewable sources like wind or solar power. Primarily, the CTA's power comes from nuclear power plantsâa total of 67%. Another 22% comes from fossil fuels, while only 11% comes from renewable sources. Power plants that burn fossil fuels like coal and natural gas release heat-trapping particles into the atmosphereâwarming the climate. Warmer temperatures are expected to lead to more heat-related deaths in Chicago, worse air quality, and a longer allergy season. Chicago to buy power from huge downstate solar operation. Why not CTA?Green energy is growing in Illinois. At Double Black Diamond Solar near Springfield, the largest solar panel installation east of the Mississippi, 1.6 million panels generate electricity capable of powering more than 100,000 homes. Jared Policicchio, Deputy Chief Sustainability Officer at the Chicago Department of the Environment, works to make the City of Chicago more sustainable. His team is purchasing half the power generated by Double Black Diamond Solar to run their buildings. 'The city is going to be achieving a commitment we made all the way back in 2017, which is that our operations would be sourced by 100% clean renewable power by 2025,' Policicchio said
CHICAGO CTA L TRAIN FOSSIL FUELS RENEWABLE ENERGY SOLAR POWER CLIMATE CHANGE
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