ABC 3

The "Stream Protection Rule" may sound like a good thing, but Congressman Mike Bost believes it doesn't do Southern Illinois any favors.

"It wasn't intended to protect the environment. It was intended to put our coal miners out of work, and sadly, it's been successful at achieving that goal," said Representative Bost.  

As an area loaded with coal, southern Illinois has seen a steady decline in jobs, leaving only about 3,400 left.