Taylorville Coal Plant Support Urged
Decatur To Be Site Of One Of Two Public Meetings
by MIKE RIOPELL, DECATUR HERALD-REVIEW

March 1, 2008 – SPRINGFIELD - Talks aimed at beginning construction of a long-stalled coal power plant in Taylorville continue, but a resolution that would authorize the project has eluded developers so far. Nebraska-based developer Tenaska has been trying to build the $2.5 billion Taylorville Energy Center, a plant touted to generate electricity with coal in a cleaner way.
Advocates say the plant’s technology could be a boon to the coal industry, which has suffered because of tightening pollution controls.

"To me, this is the future of Illinois coal," said Illinois Coal Association President Phil Gonet.

But getting the plant built has been a challenge for Tenaska.

All last year, the company tried to convince lawmakers they should allow it to enter into long-term contracts with utility companies for the electricity the plant eventually could generate.

Lawmakers didn’t approve, and Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office objected.

Now, Tenaska is planning meetings in Taylorville and Decatur to update local leaders on where the project stands, a company spokeswoman said.

One meeting will be from 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday in the auditorium at Taylorville Memorial Hospital. The Decatur presentation will be a part of the Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce Small Business
Breakfast, set for 7 a.m. Wednesday at Millikin University’s Richards Treat University Center.

Tenaska officials have said the company needs those long-term contracts to finance the project. But the company recently has been working with Madigan’s office on finding an alternative plan.

Before that, company officials had threatened to move the project out of Illinois.

Both sides recently reported that the talks remained productive. Madigan spokesman Robyn Ziegler said Friday that while a final resolution hasn’t been reached, talks continue.

The new concept could include requiring utility companies such as Ameren to buy a certain amount of electricity generated by clean coal, thereby creating a market for the Taylorville Energy Center’ electricity.

Legislation to that effect hasn’t been proposed in Springfield, but Ziegler said that ongoing talks mean a resolution still is possible.

Mike Riopell can be reached at mike.riopell@lee.net or 789-0865.

Copyright 2008, Herald & Review, Decatur, IL



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