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Vistra Energy announced Wednesday the closure of its coal plants in Canton, Havana, Hennepin and Coffeen.
The company announced in a statement that it would put the four power plants out of order in order to comply with new revisions of the standard multi-pollutant rule introduced by the Illinois Pollution Control Board.
About 300 people will lose their jobs in closures. The company strives to provide support services to these workers.
Vistra said she was closing the four power plants to save the other four power plants she operates in Illinois. The company's emissions in Illinois will be reduced by 57 to 61% due to closures, which will result in a reduction in the cap, the company said.
"Even though today's retirement announcements were unavoidable due to changing regulatory and adverse economic conditions in the MISO market, they are nevertheless difficult to make", said Curt Morgan, President and CEO of Vistra. "By far, the toughest decisions we make in our business are those that have a significant impact on our employees, and as always, we'll do the right thing for those affected by this announcement. We appreciate their work Decades of service have provided Illinois with reliable and affordable energy, especially in years like this, characterized by periods of extreme cold and heat. "
State Representative Mike Unes (R-East Peoria), representing the area where the Duck Creek power station is based, blamed the closure of former governor Bruce Rauner to the law. on the jobs related to the energy of tomorrow, which it promulgated in 2016.
"It is unfortunate that our former governor and our legislators pushed a bill that requires Illinois taxpayers to subsidize other power plants in Illinois, while autonomous power plants, like Duck Creek, are closed, "said Unes. "This is the result I feared when it was passed in 2016. The bill has now cost us the IBEW's head of family and union jobs in Duck Creek and also at the Duck Creek Power Station. Havana, nearby. "
Unes said that there is a group of "hardened ecologists" who will not rest until all the coal-fired power plants in Illinois are closed. He said it cost his district desperately needed and well-paid jobs.
State Sen. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) said he was "extremely saddened" by the announcement and the difficulties this will bring to Fulton County. He called on Governor J.B. Pritzker's administration to help those affected.
"The fact is that the current commercial market for coal-based energy is simply no longer sustainable. As we move to an energy economy focused on reducing emissions, we must be proactive in helping affected communities to suffer the consequences, "said Koehler.
Vistra has announced its intention to close the four plants by the end of the year if it is determined that they are no longer needed to continue to provide sources of energy. reliable.
Duck Creek employs 60 people. 75 people work in Havana and 60 in Hennepin. About 95 people work at the Coffeen factory.
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