The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency will be holding two ‘listening sessions’ in Danville Tuesday (September 17, 2019) to take public input on new coal ash rules. Both sessions will be held in the Bremer Conference and Workforce Development Center auditorium at Danville Area Community College. They run from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. and from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m.
Some local environmental groups are concerned about the coal ash stored in pits along the National Scenic Middle Fork River north of Kickapoo State Park. Legislation was approved earlier and signed by the governor regarding coal ash stored statewide. It directed the Illinois EPA to draft rules for regulating coal ash and that is the purpose of seeking public input at Tuesday’s meetings.
The Vermilion Power Station closed in 2011, but environmental groups claim 3.3 million cubic yards of coal ash from the plant are threatening the National Scenic Middle Fork River. The representatives from Prairie Rivers Network and other groups plan to speak out at Tuesday’s forum.
In addition to the meetings in Danville, the Illinois EPA is holding five other hearings across the state and a webinar to solicit public input.
