By Joyce Blumenshine

Your Questions and Comments Are Needed!

Area coal-fired power plant companies will hold public meetings to announce plans for closing coal ash basins and ponds. Please register to attend one or more sessions.

Pekin Powerton Coal Plant:
Wed., May 18th 6 pm-8 pm   Register
Thurs., May 19th 10 am-Noon   Register
Avanti’s Dome, 3401 Griffin Ave., Pekin 

Edwards Coal Plant (Bartonville):
Wed., May 25th at 3 p.m. or 5:30 p.m.   Register
Peoria Marriot Pere Marquette, 501 Main St., Peoria 

What is Midwest Generation, LLC, the owner of the Powerton coal-fired power plant going to propose regarding its massive amounts of coal ash in its former ash basin and bypass basin? What are concerns for area groundwater and potential long-term impacts, including possible river infiltration?

Below - Powerton ash ponds from page 25 of the Cap and Run Report.

The Edwards coal plant south of Bartonville has coal ash sitting in river bottom land groundwater that rises and falls with river levels. This is not safe for current and future generations. Heart of Illinois Group Sierra Club thinks the plant owner, Illinois Power Resources Generating LLC, should know that the coal ash must be removed from the river bottom land and put in an up-to-date lined landfill away from the river. We need your help to emphasize these concerns.

Below - Edwards ash ponds from page 22 of the Cap and Run Report.

Coal ash or CCR, coal combustion residuals, contain heavy metals including arsenic, lead, selenium, manganese, and other pollutants known to be hazards to human and animal health. These contaminants affect fish and wildlife reproduction. River and groundwater quality are at risk from these coal ash locations.

The meetings will include a question and answer session.

Company information for these coal plant locations can be found on the Illinois EPA website by scrolling down to the Midwest Generation listings or Vistra Dynegy listings.