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Cap and Run:  Illinois’ Coal Ash Crisis
by Tony Heath, Eco-Justice Collaborative

Earlier this week, Eco-Justice Collaborative (EJC) and the Protect the Middle Fork Citizens Group joined Prairie Rivers Network, the Environmental Integrity Project, Earthjustice, and the Sierra Club in Springfield as they released “Cap and Run: Toxic Coal Ash Left Behind by Big Polluters Threatens Illinois Water” a new report on groundwater pollution across Illinois due to toxic coal ash left behind by Big Polluters.

The report, released Wednesday, found that 22 of the 24 power plants, for which data was available, have contaminated groundwater with unsafe levels of on or more toxic pollutants. The Vermilion Power Station is one of them. The report includes data, from Dynegy and other utilities which show boron, arsenic, sulfate, and other pollutants exceed the legal and safe level.

Press Event Highlights the Middle Fork and
Other Coal Ash Campaigns Across Illinois

Our day at the State Capitol began with a press event where community members, activists, and members of the press overflowed into the hallway from the packed “Blue Room”, where the November 28 press conference was held.

Press Conference, Cap and Run, Illinois Coal Ash Crisis

Lan Richart, Co-Director, Eco-Justice Collaborative, and members of the press pack into the Blue Room to record the release of “Cap & Run”, a new report highlighting the impacts of coal ash impoundments on Illinois Groundwater. Photo by Eco-Justice Collaborative

Representatives from Prairie Rivers Network and Earthjustice, along with community members from Alton, Peoria, Waukegan, and Vermilion County, presented the findings of the “Cap and Run” report and shared their stories of how coal ash has impacted their lives and harmed their communities.  

Vincent Koers of Danville (Vermilion County), represented the Protect the Middle Fork Citizens Advocacy Group.  He called on the Illinois EPA to hold a public hearing on Dynegy’s proposed closure plan to

  • Ensure that the Middle Fork of the Vermilion River is permanently protected from the threat of coal ash;
  • Residents have a voice in a controversial decision that could permanently leave the ash in place; and
  • Taxpayers are not ultimately left “on the hook” for monitoring, maintaining, and repairing coal ash pits and proposed riverbank armoring – or cleanup, in the event of a coal ash spill.

Senator Scott Bennet spoke in support of the recommendations in the report, urging his colleagues to address Illinois’ coal ash crisis in 2019.  The Middle Fork runs through his District. Senator Dave Koehler also was present to show his support, and although Representative Mike Marron could not attend the press conference, he prepared a statement asking the General Assembly to make coal ash regulations a priority next session.

Communities affected by coal ash share their stories a the press conference releasing the report "Cap and Run"

Vincent Koers from Protect the Middle Fork Citizens Advisory Group and community members from across Illinois share their stories of how coal ash has impacted them. Photo by Eco-Justice Collaborative

Letter / Petition Delivery to Governor Rauner
After the Press Conference, EJC, along with members of Protect the Middle Fork Group, led a march upstairs to the Governor’s office. Our purpose was to present Governor Rauner with over 2000 letters and petitions calling out the impacts of Dynegy’s “cap and run” plan, along with public comments and a transcript from the People’s Hearing EJC held earlier this year. These materials call for full ash removal in order to permanently protect the river and Vermilion County from ongoing pollution and the threat of a coal ash spill. Many of these letters also call on the Illinois EPA and Governor to hold a public hearing on this controversial project.

EJC and Protect the Middle Fork briefly speak with Governor Bruce Rauner

Members of Protect the Middle Fork & Gov Rauner meet outside his office. Photo by Eco-Justice Collaborative

As luck would have it, the Governor himself was in the atrium outside of his office when we arrived. Caught off guard, the Governor refused to talk with us and fled into his office when we tried to deliver the letters and other materials to him. Lan Richart and community members from Protect the Middle Fork followed the Governor into his office to make sure he heard what they had to say, but Governor Rauner still wouldn’t listen! Momentarily rebuffed, the activists re-grouped in the atrium outside of the Governor’s office where Lan spoke for the gathered press and community members about the importance and urgency of cleaning up the toxic legacy of coal ash that has been left where it can contaminate Illinois’ ground and surface water sources, the importance of public participation, and the urgent need to remove coal ash from the banks of the Vermilion and place it far from the river.

Cap and Run - Eco-Justice delivers materials addressed to Governor Rauner supporting relocation of coal ash and asking for a public hearing

Lan speaks to supporters and the Press outside Governor Rauner’s office.  Photo by Eco-Justice Collaborative

Once we’d re-grouped, a second effort was made to deliver the transcripts and letters to the Governor and this time it was a success! The Governor  still wouldn’t meet with us, but all materials were delivered to one of his chief aides who promised Governor Rauner would see them.

Having successfully done what we had come to do, we left the State Capitol Building and went to the offices of the Illinois Environmental Council who had graciously offered to host us as well as our partners from around the state.  Sierra Club provided lunch, as we celebrated and refueled. 

The Fight to Solve Illinois’ State-Wide Coal Ash Crisis Has Just Begun
As Andrew Rehn of Prairie Rivers Network said, “this is an inflection point in the fight against coal ash. Illinois has the opportunity to address this problem now, to set an example for other states around the country, to protect our waters, and ensure environmental justice for the communities here in Central Illinois, around the state, and around the country who have been impacted by the toxic legacy of coal ash.”

Today’s success was a result of the tireless support of people like you. It’s time that we ask our senators and state legislators to take coal ash seriously by providing permanent protection, guaranteeing communities have a voice in how coal ash pits are closed, and ensuring polluters are the ones paying to clean up their mess.

Take Time to Help Protect the Middle Fork!
We need your help.  Please sign this letter asking the Illinois EPA to hold a hearing on Dynegy’s “cap and run” plan. It’s easy – and it’s important.  Thank you!

 

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