Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Mike Bost (IL-12) voted to protect 19 coal refuse-to-energy facilities across America, including the Southern Illinois Cooperative in Marion, from job-killing EPA regulations.  The House-passed Satisfying Energy Needs and Saving the Environment (SENSE) Act turns back two EPA regulations that would have prevented the Williamson County plant and others from utilizing coal refuse in energy production, provided operations remain within state air emission limits.

“This is just another example of unjustified EPA overreach that would result increased energy costs and reduced jobs in Southern Illinois,” said Bost.  “The facility in Williamson County is a specialized power plant that recycles coal refuse by using it as an energy source to generate affordable and reliable electricity for Southern Illinoisans.  Knocking this plant offline would have serious consequences for consumers, jobs and the environment.”

The 19 coal refuse-to-energy facilities nationwide create an estimated 1,200 direct jobs and 4,000 indirect jobs.  These facilities have removed 214 million tons of coal refuse from the environment at no expense to taxpayers.