Perry County Board passes resolution opposing EPA coal plant proposal
Former Perry County Clerk Kevin Kern, now Chief of Staff for Congressman Bill Enyart (IL-12), asked the Perry County Board to pass a resolution opposing the EPA's proposed regulations for coal-fired power plants.
Kern said Enyart's objects to the rules are two-fold. The first objection is that the public hearings on the matter were held in Denver, Atlanta, Washington, D.C. and Pittsburgh, Pa. Only Pittsburg is in coal country. Enyart is among a dozen lawmakers who signed a letter demanding the EPA hold additional, more accessible public hearings.
The second objection to the proposed regulations is that coal provides 37 to 40 percent of the energy in the United States. The remaining energy sources cannot replace it. Nor can Americans afford greater energy costs.
"The regulations are unnecessary and too difficult for coal-fired plants to implement," Kern said.
Kern urged everyone to voice their opinion during the public comments period which runs through Oct. 16. The EPA accepts comments directly at regulations.gov. Enyart's office and the UMWA are collecting comments which will be submitted to the EPA together.
Commissioner Jim Epplin said there are four power plants within driving distance of Pinckneyville which will be affected if the proposal is passed.
Job losses will extend beyond the coal industry, as well to affect those who repair the coal-fired power plants and even local truckers who haul coal.
Arch Coal had hoped to open the Lost Prairie Mine near Winkle in 2015. There mine has the potential to provide 200 jobs for Perry County. That's on hold while the EPA proposal is considered.
In other business, the board:
• heard an update on Black Pine Road from County Engineer Brian Otten. Otten said he noted after the last meeting that residents complained that school buses and mail delivery vehicles could not use the road. He contacted the bus administrator for Dist. 300 and was told that no one had requested buses travel down Black Pine in many years, but that buses can use the road. Likewise, once the shoulders were put back on the road, there was no difficulty with mail trucks using Black Pine. Otten noted that like many other roads in Perry County, there could be difficulty traveling on Black Pine in snow.
• heard from Otten that Perry County is working with the railroad and ICC to close a portion of Zinnia Road. If an ICC grant is received, the road will be closed and a new rail crossing will be added to Morning Glory Road. Both the new crossing and an existing one on Morning Glory will get new lights and signals. That potential project is the reason Zinnia was not oiled and chipped when all the other roads in the area were done this year. Otten will learn whether or not the county gets the grant sometime this fall. There will be public hearings held before Zinnia is closed. Otten said the closing is financially advantageous for the railroad.
• heard from Treasurer Bill Taylor that 63 percent of this year's real estate taxes have been collected and the tax anticipation warrants repaid. The second installment is due Aug. 29.
• heard from UIUC Unit Leader Julie Mumbower that Caitlin Purcell was hired as the new clerical employee in Perry County. Also, for the first time, Pumpkin Field Day will be held in southern Illinois at the Ewing field in Franklin County Sept. 4. Call (618)687-1727 to register for the free event. Lunch is included. Also, the Four Seasons Gardening series will be held in Perry County from Sept. 9 - Oct. 7. There will be telnet seminars on Day lilies, Rain Gardens and Hydroponics. Call (618)357-2126 to learn more or to register for one of the sessions.
• answered questions for Julie Lunneman on how office holders hire employees and how members are appointed to local boards. Several office holders present explained that they advertise in local papers when they have openings. Commissioner Sam Robb said the county is working on a policy to require all positions be advertised, but has not yet finished with it. Most office holders have moved toward advertising open positions. County Clerk Josh Gross said he would be happy to provide a list of appointed board members.
• heard from State's Attorney David Stanton that Perry County cannot create an ordinance allowing the operation of ATVs on county roads because the state does not give the county that authority. Both Pinckneyville and Du Quoin have ATV or golf cart ordinances because the state gives municipalities the authority to do so. The General Assembly would have to vote to allow all counties in Illinois to choose whether or not to allow ATV operation on roads and has not done so. There have been hearings in Springfield in the past.