Energy and Environment

The Council of State Governments’ binational Midwestern Legislative Conference Energy and Environment Committee was established in late 2022 and met for the first time in July 2023 in conjunction with the Midwestern Legislative Conference Annual Meeting. The group’s activities include developing policy resources as well as holding in-person and web-based events for legislators to exchange ideas and learn about key developments and innovations in the areas of energy and the environment.

The committee officers for 2023-2024 are Illinois Sen. Laura Ellman and Indiana Rep. Ethan Manning, co-chairs; and Ohio Rep. Sharon Ray, vice chair. Legislators from the Midwestern states and four Canadian provinces serve on the committee. The CSG Midwest staff liaison to the committee is Jon Davis.

The MLC Energy & Environment Committee last met and led sessions and policy-focused site visits at the 2024 Midwestern Legislative Conference Annual Meeting, in Columbus, Ohio.

2024 committee meeting: Information and resources

• “PFAS Legislation: A 50-State Overview” | Bill Kramer, Vice President, MultiState »
• “PFAS Environmental Regulations: Approaches, Current Impacts & Considerations” | Jake Wilhelm, Environmental Scientist, GSI Environmental »
• “PFAS Groundwater Standards” | Dr. Gavin Dehnert, Emerging Contaminant Scientist, University of Wisconsin-Madison & Wisconsin Sea Grant »
• Stateline Midwest article on “A Peek at the Post-Chevron World: Legislators Explore Implications of court Ruling, Recent State Actions” » 
• Stateline Midwest article on “Keeping the ‘Lights On, Beer Cold, Water Warm’ ” »
• Agenda »

The MLC Energy & Environment Committee meets at least once a year as part of the MLC Annual Meeting, most recently in Columbus in 2024 and Detroit in 2023.

CSG Midwest also provides staff support to two other groups related to energy and environment issues: the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Legislative Legislative Caucus and the Midwestern Radioactive Materials Transportation Project.