FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Illinois Senate Passes Historic Bill to Hold Polluters Accountable for Toxic Coal Sludge
SB9 Passes 39-9, Protects Communities and Taxpayers from Costs of Coal Ash Left by Big Polluters like NRG, Vistra
Contact:
Andrew Rehn, arehn@prairierivers.org, 708-305-6181
Colleen Smith, colleen@ilenviro.org, 309-643-0298
Renner Barsella, renner.barsella@sierraclub.org, 217-390-9394
Jenny Cassel, jcassel@earthjustice.org, 215-717-4525
Al Grosboll, agrosboll@elpc.org, 217-652-3866
SPRINGFIELD, IL. — Today the Illinois State Senate passed SB9, sponsored by Senator Scott Bennett, a bill to ensure the impacted communities are protected when coal plant operators close coal ash impoundments, water-filled pits full of toxic sludge that is a byproduct of burning coal. The bill provides a framework that ensures EPA approves protective closure plans for coal ash impoundments and requires Financial Assurance to guarantee Illinois taxpayers are not stuck with the bill. Public participation and transparency for affected communities are also key aspects of the bill, which prioritizes closure of high-risk ash pits and those affecting environmental justice communities. It also assesses fees on polluters to provide Illinois EPA the resources the Agency needs to make sure closure and cleanup is done safely.
Illinois has the most coal ash dumps of any state, with at least 80 dumps at dozens of sites and at every dump where groundwater has been tested, toxic coal ash pollutants are leaking into groundwater, including arsenic, mercury, lead and chromium. The toxins in coal ash can leach out for hundreds of years. It is critical that these ash impoundments be closed safely. Illinois is one step closer to following states like Virginia and North Carolina in moving forward with comprehensive legislation for safe closure of coal ash impoundments.
Quotes from supporters across the state will be posted here.
The bill drew major public support from individuals and groups across the state including:
Central Illinois Healthy Communities
Citizens Against Longwall Mining
Clean Power Lake County
Citizens for a Greener Illinois
Earthjustice
Eco-Justice Collaborative
Environmental Law & Policy Center
Faith in Place
Illinois Chapter Sierra Club
Illinois Environmental Council
Illinois Peoples’ Action
Little Village Environmental Justice Organization
Metro-East Green Alliance
Springfield Clean
Prairie Rivers Network
Protect the Middle Fork
