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Big Rivers Laying Off 165 Big Rivers Electric Corp. said it will lay off 165 workers when it idles two generating plants in response to loss of the two Century Aluminum smelter customers. It expects to idle the 417-MW Wilson plant in February and the 443-MW Coleman plant by June.

Court Challenge Slows Wood Plant EcoPower Generation, developer of a 58 MW wood-burning plant in Perry County, hopes to begin construction this year and qualify for tax credits. The Public Service Commission approved the sale of power from the plant to Kentucky Power, but its order is being challenged by...

Exelon, Groups Agree on Renewables Pact   Exelon and environmental groups have agreed in principle on a bill that could increase the building of solar projects in Illinois. The bill includes a financing mechanism that could benefit Exelon while increasing costs for its competition. More: Crain’s Chicago Business MARYLAND BGE...

Gina McCarthy The Environmental Protection Agency started its 11-city “listening tour” in preparation for writing rules to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants. Some lawmakers have asked EPA to add sessions in coal mining states. In an interview with PBS, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy defended the agency’s plans. “Carbon...

State Site Removes ‘Pro-Coal’ Material The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity took coal-education material off its website after objections that it was unduly pro-coal. The website sections, intended to educate children about energy, sparked a grassroots campaign demanding that the pages be taken down. (Source: IL Dept. of...

Panel Rejects Pollution Control Waiver The state Pollution Control Board rejected a request by Ameren Corp. to transfer permission to delay pollution controls at five coal-fired plants to Dynegy Inc., which is seeking to acquire the plants. The board said Dynegy could submit a new petition for a waiver, requiring...

Coal Plants’ Fate Hinges on Waiver Ameren Corp. and Dynegy Inc. will face off with environmental groups next week in a hearing that could decide the future of some of Illinois’ largest coal-fired power plants. The companies are seeking a waiver from the Illinois Pollution Control Board that would provide...

ComEd Not to Blame for  Smart Meter Fires Commonwealth Edison’s smart meters are not to blame for overheating and fires that occurred in a pilot program. State regulators said the problem was loose connections and corrosion in customer-owned casings. Three smart meters caught fire during a 2010 pilot program, in...

Coal boosters who hope carbon capture technology will ensure the fuel’s future will find little support in a new report conducted for planners in the Eastern Interconnection. EPA’s proposed New Source Performance Standards for greenhouse gases will likely make it impossible to permit new coal-fired generation that doesn’t include Carbon...

Duke Settles with Environmental Groups Duke Energy agreed to quit burning coal at its share of the Wabash River Station power plant in western Indiana by June 2018 under a settlement with environmental and citizens groups that also calls for the company to increase its investments in renewable energy. The...