Renner Barsella, Sierra Club, renner.barsella@sierraclub.org, 217-390-9394
Peoria, IL -- The Coal Ash Pollution Prevention Act, signed into law this July, set Illinois on a path to strong and protective coal ash rules. The law is now being drafted into rules by the Illinois EPA. The Agency will be holding the first of a series of listening sessions at the Gateway Building in Peoria to take input from the public.
Coal ash is polluting groundwater at over 90% of Illinois power plants. The majority of coal ash ponds in Illinois are unlined - there is no barrier between the ash and groundwater. Advocates from the Peoria area joined with groups from other impacted communities across the state in a grassroots effort to pass this bill.
WHO: Residents, advocates, and experts from wide coalition of organizations and communities concerned about toxins from coal ash in Illinois waters
WHAT: An Illinois EPA listening session to inform new coal ash rules.
WHEN: Tuesday, 2 pm-4 pm and also 6 pm-8 pm
WHERE: Gateway Building, 200 Northeast Water Street
More details and future dates can be found on the IEPA website here
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.