Here's how: Sign the petition to support Midwest Generation
Midwest Generation has asked the Illinois Pollution Control Board (IPCB) for temporary relief from state regulations ensuring ongoing reductions in air emissions at the company's plants from 2008 to 2019. The company is only asking to reduce, not eliminate, spending on environmental improvements for two years of that 12-year period.
The company has been meeting all of its environmental commitments under state regulations since 2008. And even with the requested relief – known as a "variance" — it would meet all requirements by the time the state program ends in 2019. Due to financial hardship caused by depressed energy prices, debt requiring a financial restructuring and substantial capital expenses needed to meet new regulations, Midwest Generation is requesting a variance in 2015 and 2016. The company will reduce emissions in 2013 and 2014 so that there will be less emissions than required by the current standard through 2016. Midwest Generation will still meet all current requirements in 2013-14 and 2017-19.
The petition is similar to a variance the Board granted Ameren Energy Resources last September. In fact, it's even narrower in scope than Ameren's request.
Midwest Generation employs 845 men and women, 64 percent of them union members. It provides jobs for hundreds of additional workers, most of them members of the building and construction trades. It spends close to $400 million on goods and services from Illinois companies and to support various Illinois organizations, and nearly $5 million on local property taxes. And it provides energy to homes and businesses throughout our state.
You have the opportunity to make your voice heard as the IPCB is now accepting public comments. Please let the Board know how important it is to approve Midwest Generation's request by following these simple steps.
Step ONE: Review Your Letter
I support Midwest Generation's request for temporary relief from Illinois pollution control regulations (Variance, Docket No. PCB 13-24).
Midwest Generation is a major provider of jobs — at its plants and at Illinois businesses that supply them with products and services. Nearly 65 percent of its 850 employees are union members, and hundreds of union members in the building and construction trades also work on special projects in the plants — such as installing new pollution controls.
Granting the variance can help sustain the positive impact of the company's operations on local communities and businesses and help preserve property tax revenues for education and municipal services.
Even if granted the variance, Midwest Generation would still hit the original state emissions targets by the end of the program in 2019, and will reduce emissions from 2013-2016 more than was expected when current regulations were adopted.
Thank you for considering and registering my comment.