The August issue of Illinois Country Living asks readers
“use your voice” to delay closure of Prairie State Energy Campus (PSEC) coal plant,
Illinois biggest carbon emitter. The reasons given are not correct and are based
on invalid assumptions.
Around 2007, communities in the Midwest seemed convinced
that coal-fired PSEC was the way to get inexpensive energy even with a massive
construction debt. Peabody Coal Company convinced
regulatory agencies to approve the necessary permits needed to develop this
project. Soon after production of energy
from PSEC, litigation began concerning promises made versus product delivered.
I am very thankful to my electric cooperative, Rural
Electric Convenience Cooperative (RECC) for its business decisions based on product
facts, not speculative promises. RECC is
not locked into a long-term contract for high-priced, dirty energy from PSEC.
Illinois must
transition from coal while providing support for coal communities and workers. No wonder that the Governor’s clean energy
legislation before Illinois lawmakers is a concern to the supporters of
PSEC.
PSEC is a mistake that many communities are burdened with,
but the state should and could rectify its misguided attempt to support the
claim of cheap coal-energy with new clean energy legislation.
This article in the
“Use Your Voice” section is a misguided effort. For Illinois, to delay closure would be a step
backward and no help to coal communities.
One mistake, establishing PSEC, does not justify another mistake of
continuing its pollution and damage to communities.
Mary Ellen DeClue
Litchfield, IL
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