JOPPA, IL - Citizens confronted the Environmental Protection Agency about a proposed coal ash disposal facility under construction in their town.  Environmentalists and people near the proposed site got a chance to ask questions Monday night concerning how it could affect their health.

Electric Energy Incorporated is building a coal ash management facility at its generating station near Joppa, Illinois.  Environmentalist cite federal EPA reports that claim coal ash contains toxic chemicals ranging from arsenic, to mercury and lead.  The Illinois EPA claims coal ash is non-hazardous, but several people who live near the site aren't so sure.

You could definitely sense the frustration from several members of the crowd at Monday public hearing.  There was confusion about which part of the project was under discussion, which corporate subsidiary was in charge, and what they could do about questions outside of Monday night's hearing.

From the outset the IEPA officials made it clear that this hearing was about a detention pool at the facility that would treat rainwater before releasing it into the Ohio River.  Separate from that, the project would also include a 23-acre landfill that is not part of the permit under consideration. 

That distinction created some confusion, but people had the opportunity to ask a variety questions.  Local homeowners asked about the impact on well water.  Members of environmental groups asked about the impact on local aquatic life.  The bottom line from the IEPA is that if they issue the permit, it would ensure the discharge from the plant will meet state water quality standards.  Nonetheless, some members of the audience were left less than satisfied.  "I would like to express that that is really hard for those people whose job it is to look at these things, let alone the public to help understand what the concerns of this whole activity might be and how they can communicate to IEPA that they have concerns or questions," Prairie River Network's Tracy Barkley said.

Supporters of the project were also on hand including some people who live near the facility and Metropolis Mayor Billy McDaniel.  The mayor praised EEI, the owner of the facility, for it's positive economic impact on the area.  EEI's president said Monday night the company expects to hire more workers once the project is complete.

The public notice period for the facility's permit will last through the beginning of January.  Written comments can be sent to the IEPA:

Hearing Officer Dean Studer
Re: Met-South NPDES
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
1021 North Grand Avenue East
P.O. Box 19276
Springfield, IL 62794-9276

Send emails to:

EPA.PublicHearingCom@illinois.gov
Be sure to specify, "Met-South hearing" in the subject line.