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A group of congressmen from central Illinois are urging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to review the closures of four coal-fired power plants in Illinois.

Last month, Vistra Energy announced it was prepared to close four plants with nearly 290 jobs by the end of the year, pending approval by regulators. Republican U.S. Reps Darin LaHood, Rodney Davis and Mike Bost sent a letter to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission saying Illinois has “chosen to take this politically driven anti-coal approach.” They urged review of the planned closures’ “impact on grid reliability, electricity costs, job loss.”

When lawmakers head back to the state capital this fall, all segments of the energy business could be looking for friendly legislation. The impacts of potential closures and carve-outs could affect property taxpayers.

The letter from LaHood, Davis, and Bost to FERC said Illinois has “chosen to take this politically driven anti-coal approach.”

 

They urged the commission to review the planned closures’ “impact on grid reliability, electricity costs, job loss.”

 

“We strongly support an all-of-the-above energy approach,” the letter said, “Having a diversified energy portfolio is important for both national security and grid reliability, especially in rural areas during times of extreme cold and heat.”