BARTONVILLE, IL -- Environmental activists are organizing a campaign to retire the Edwards coal burning power plant.
A public meeting has been set for 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 18 to discuss the transition to retirement.
Central Illinois Health Community Alliance activists met in Bartonville on March 23 to discuss their plans and knock on doors to raise awareness about the Edwards plant and the meeting.
It recently was sold to Dynegy, Inc., along with four other Ameren plants for no cash, only the assumption of $825 million in debt. That raises red flags that the plant could be shut down abruptly with the public forced to assume liability for its problems. The site includes an 89-acre coal ash pond on the banks of the Illinois River filled with harmful pollutants.
The Edwards plant operates with outdated pollution controls. Its emissions pose health threats, which a study identified as including asthma attacks, heart attacks, chronic bonchitis, even premature deaths.
"Now is the time to retire it," said Katie McFadden of the Sierra Club's Beyond Coal project.
"Closing is inevitable," said activist Tracy Fox, since the plant does not meet standards in the Clean Air Act. The transition should protect the workers there, include a clean up of the site, and steps to remedy the loss of tax base to the community, she said. "We want to be a part of a just transition," she said.
-- Elaine Hopkins
Despite the hyperbole, will you guys pay my higher bill?
Posted by: Vonster | March 26, 2013 at 08:11 PM