Planned Illinois coal plant could cast haze over refuge

Posted on Sun, Mar. 27, 2005

Planned Illinois coal plant could cast haze over refuge

BY MICHAEL HAWTHORNE

Chicago Tribune


PUXICO, Mo. - (KRT) - From a bluff above the remnants of a vast hardwood swamp, the view often is clouded by haze that makes this soggy thicket of cypress and tupelo one of the dirtiest wilderness areas in the nation.

Scientists at the federal agency that oversees the Mingo National Wildlife Refuge say a new coal-fired power plant approved by the administration of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich only will make the problem worse - adding more pollution to the chemical stew lingering over the herons, turtles and otters that live here.

After Illinois regulators refused to require the Peabody Energy plant to wash its coal and install additional pollution controls, two commonly used methods to curb haze-forming chemicals, the scientists urged their bosses at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to file an appeal.

They were overruled by political appointees in Washington, who won't join opponents fighting the project even though the agency still says the power plant would fall short of Clean Air Act rules intended to protect national parks and wilderness areas.
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http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/breaking_news/11244340.htm

in Illinois, you can count on it being crooked, no matter what "it" is. This state has to be the most unethically run state in the country and nothing, but nothing, stops them. Blago is a liar and a fraud and couldn't care less about our environment, he wants the votes.

Jenn

living in several other states, I have sadly concluded Illinois is not any worse, and some times better, than many others. A sad commentary.