The citizens group ‘Stand Up to Coal’ says it will continue its fight against the proposed Bulldog Coal Mine in southwest Vermilion County. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has approved a permit for the mine, but Sunrise Coal Company still needs approval of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
Suzanne Smith of rural Homer says she and other members of the group ‘Stand Up to Coal’ wonder why Illinois is opening a new coal mine now. ‘’We can’t believe our new governor and his staff would permit the use of public drinking water to wash coal and break up our good farmland to dig up and process coal in this day and age of alternative energy initiatives,’’ said Smith. ‘’Just last week our legislators called for 100-percent renewable energy in Illinois by 2050 introducing the Clean Energy Jobs Act SB(Senate Bill)2132,’’ she added.
Smith says Stand Up to Coal is still concerned about the potential harmful impacts the Bulldog Mine could have on water supplies, agricultural lands, air quality, ‘’and the long-term effects on our rural community.’’ As such, Smith said her group will be filing a petition requesting an administrative review.
And Smith says the group will be posting updates on its website http://www.standuptocoal.org as information becomes available.
