|
“This project is part
of my initiative to promote the use of the state's abundant coal
reserves,” Blagojevich said. “Construction of this power plant will
demonstrate we can burn Illinois coal without harming the
environment and deliver new jobs for the mining industry in central
and southern Illinois.”
Indeck-Elwood LLC
will construct the 660-megawatt power plant as part of a more than
2,000-acre industrial development in Elwood. The project will
incorporate clean-coal technology to reduce emissions and use as
much as 2 million tons of Illinois coal per year. The plant, which
is slated to begin operation in 2006, will employ at least 80
workers in high-paying technical positions and create about 200
coal-mining jobs. During construction, the union labor force is
expected to peak at more than 1,200 jobs.
“Indeck is pleased to
be part of the team, which includes the state of Illinois, the BNSF
Railroad and Centerpoint Properties, that will build the first clean
coal power generating station in Illinois in more than 30 years,”
said Tom Campone, president and chief operating officer of Indeck-Elwood
LLC.
To facilitate the
project, Indeck is eligible for about $50 million in financial
incentives from the state, including about $25 million in general
obligation bonds that would be retired using sales tax revenue paid
for by tax revenue from the purchase of Illinois coal. In addition,
as a “high-impact business,” the company can receive investment tax
credits for machinery equipment and buildings and tax exemptions for
building materials.
“This project will
give a boost to the coal industry and create jobs for Illinois coal
miners,” said state Rep. Dan Reitz, D-Steeleville.
[to top of second column in
this article] |
“The advanced
technology to be used at this facility is a great example of the
capabilities available to industry today,” said
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director Renee Cipriano.
“We are pleased to see utilization of this modern technology to
allow Illinois coal resources to be used without compromising our
environment.”
"Coal provides the
state with an important source of natural energy and jobs," said
Jack Lavin, acting director of the Illinois Department of Commerce
and Economic Opportunity. "The state is committed to providing
programs that offer Indeck, and other clean coal projects,
competitive opportunities and incentives in the national
marketplace."
“Governor Blagojevich
is moving ahead on his intent to provide a broader market in the
future for Illinois coal,” said Taylor Pensoneau, president of the
Illinois Coal Association.
The state's coal
mining industry has suffered in recent decades as stricter federal
air standards have forced many power companies to burn coal from
western states rather than coal mined in Illinois that has higher
sulfur content. Recent advances in “clean coal” technology allow
power companies to burn coal mined in Illinois and meet federal
environmental standards.
Of the 24 plants in Illinois that
currently burn coal, only three -- CILCO's Duck Creek in Canton,
Southern Illinois Power Co-op in Marion and City Water, Light &
Power Co. in Springfield
-- burn Illinois coal regularly, as a result of clean coal scrubbing
technology.
[Illinois
Government News Network
press release] |
