Sally Burgess, sally.burgess@sierraclub.org
SPRINGFIELD, IL - Springfield's municipal utility, City Water Light and Power (CWLP), has operated with a gross lack of oversight leading to numerous pollution violations at its Dallman coal power plant, argued Sierra Club and other advocacy groups at Tuesday’s Springfield City Council meeting.
The recent Consent Decree between CWLP and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows an alarming history of environmental non-compliance, detailing hundreds of violations in the management of the utility’s coal ash ponds. It highlights a long-standing failure to adhere to environmental laws and the serious financial risks posed to Springfield residents as a result.
Don Hanrahan with the Coalition for Springfield’s Utility Future responded. “From CWLP’s failure to monitor groundwater pollution to continued arsenic contamination detected in quarterly sampling since 2018, these violations come at a steep cost to Springfield residents. It is beyond clear that CWLP has not taken necessary measures to protect our water, air, and community health and serious oversight and action is necessary.”
CWLP has suggested that capping in place is the most cost-effective solution for closing the coal ash ponds. However, the Consent Decree raises serious concerns about whether this approach will meet legal standards. If CWLP proceeds with capping in place but fails to comply with EPA regulations, Springfield could face even higher costs down the road—potentially paying to close the ponds twice.
“The Illinois EPA must reject CWLP's application to simply cap and forget its toxic ash ponds, because they will only continue to leach dangerous chemicals,” Lori McKiernan, also with CSUF said.
The Sierra Club calls on leaders in Springfield to prioritize environmental compliance and long-term financial planning over short-term cost-cutting.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of 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.