Edwards coal-fired power plant in Bartonville Pollutes Without Any Planned Pollution Controls, Makes Peoria Air Some of the Most Dangerous in Illinois
WHAT: On Thursday morning, local health advocates and families will gather together to hold a press conference in Bartonville asking U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set in motion a plan to clean up dangerous sulfur dioxide emissions in the Peoria area and demanding a plan from the operators of the Edwards coal-fired power plant to clean up air pollution locally.
The EPA determined earlier this year that the air in Peoria is unsafe to breathe, largely due to sulfur dioxide emissions from the area’s two large, uncontrolled coal-fired power plants, Ameren’s Edwards plant and Midwest Generation’s Powerton plant. In June, EPA missed a deadline to finalize an official designation of “nonattainment” for the area, which would set in motion a detailed plan to clean up the air.
The Edwards coal-fired power plant is currently owned by Ameren, but part of Texas-based Dynegy’s planned purchase of five dirty coal plants in Illinois for no cash. The Edwards coal-fired power plant has been in operation for more than half a century, and currently operates without controlling its dangerous sulfur dioxide emissions. Pollution from the coal plant contributes to seven premature deaths, ten heart attacks, and more than 100 asthma attacks each year, according to a 2010 study by the Clean Air Task Force.
With Dynegy poised to take over the plant, area residents are even more concerned that the company lacks a plan to clean up the plant. The Illinois Pollution Control Board (IPCB) recently denied Ameren’s request to transfer permission to delay pollution controls to Dynegy. The IPCB decision, an active Clean Air Act lawsuit over excessive pollution, a pending EPA clean air non-attainment designation, and a recent reliability downgrade of Dynegy by financial experts has put Peoria’s clean air and future in jeopardy.
Local citizens will rally on Thursday to urge EPA to set in motion a detailed plan to achieve safe air, and to demand a plan from Dynegy to secure clean air for the community.
WHEN: Thursday, July 11 at 11:00 AM
WHERE: 4601 West Route 24, Bartonville, IL
Directions: Take Route 24 south from Bartonville; turn right/west onto Tuscarora Road and then turn left onto the access lane toward the split-level ranch house facing out over Route 24. The press conference will be on the private lane.
WHO:
Joyce Blumenshine, Sierra Club Heart of Illinois Group Chair
Robin Garlish, Pekin resident, mother of asthmatic children
Kady McFadden, Sierra Club Beyond Coal campaign organizer
Joyce Harant, League of Women Voters