Mt. Vernon Register-News

Local

May 8, 2009

Shimkus touts coal during Hamilton County visit

By KANDACE MCCOY

kandace.mccoy@register-news.com

MCLEANSBORO — Congressman John Shimkus joined local officials Friday in support of the coal mining industry and expressed opposition to proposed cap-and-trade legislation.

“This is really a cap-and-tax plan,” Shimkus (R, Ill.-19) stated in a press release. “I am here to state my plain and simple support for coal and the jobs we have here in mining and the potential new jobs, like those planned at mines and coal-fired power plants throughout my district.”

White Oaks has been working to open a long-wall coal mine in Hamilton County, and if the legislation passes through the Energy and Commerce Committee of which Shimkus is a member, he believes it could threaten potential jobs.

“Here in Southern Illinois, we have plentiful coal reserves that have been untapped,” he said during a press conference at the McLeansboro City Hall. “What great potential we have for good paying jobs here with White Oaks. My concern is under the premise of global warming, the solution is to put an added price on carbon emissions, which will affect jobs like this.”

Illinois Coal Association President Phillip Gonet added his support at the press conference.

“Congressman Shimkus understands you grow this economy by jobs and not by taxes and spending. Our coal reserves exceed the energy content of all the oil in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. We want to grow those jobs. ... But that may not happen if the cap-and-trade happens.”

Proponents of the proposed legislation, however, say the act will not only secure jobs, but also jump-start the economy.

“Illinois urgently needs new jobs, stable energy prices and freedom from dirty fossil fuels,” information from Matt McGovern of Repower Illinois stated. “For the first time, America has the opportunity to pass truly effective clean energy legislation to build a clean energy economy and create millions of jobs for American workers. The American Clean Energy and Security Act is the most important clean energy legislation in decades, and its passage is critical for putting America back on a path toward long term economic prosperity.”

Daryl Donjon, CEO and President of Wayne-White Counties Electric Cooperative, said the legislation was a “potentially devastating” prospect.

“It would allow the price of CO2 emissions to be established by Wall Street rather than Main Street,” he stressed. “It is an unfair tax to the Midwest and would raise electric rates by 80 percent.”

Shimkus said those who would “get hurt the most is rural America.”

“Estimates vary as to how much cap-and-trade will end up costing consumers. But electricity prices could go up somewhere between 44 and 129 percent. Gasoline prices could go up between 61 cents and $2.53 per gallon. Natural gas prices, for home heating and in fertilizer production, will go up between 108 and 146 percent,” Shimkus predicted.

Shimkus’ opponents claim the legislation could help not only reduce energy bills, but save “Illinois households $810 per year.”

“Illinois residents don’t want scare tactics, they want solutions,” McGovern said. “Now is the time to transition to clean energy and create the thousands of jobs Illinois desperately needs.”

Others joining Shimkus during the press conference were McLeansboro Mayor Dick Deitz, Hamilton County Board chairman and Rend Lake College board member Dr. Donald Mitchell and Rend Lake College President Charley Holstein.

Text Only
Local
  • Herb and Garden Herb and Garden Show

    Robert and Loris Butterfield were among a large crowd making their way through the 24th Annual Herb and Garden Show at Times Square Mall Friday afternoon. Hours today are 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. The event is sponsored by Herbs for Health and Fun Club and Mt. Vernon Convention and Visitors Bureau.
     

    February 11, 2012 1 Photo

  • Village offering chat and performance

    MT. VERNON – The Jefferson County Historical Village is offering two opportunities to learn about history in February.

    February 11, 2012

  • Society to hold open meeting

    MT. VERNON— The National MS Society is hosting an open town hall meeting in Mt. Vernon Outland Airport’s Banquet Room Sunday.

    February 11, 2012

  • Principal shares information about school

    MT. VERNON – City Schools District 80 Primary Center Principal Shannon Marler provided the District 80 Board of Education with an update on the school at the latest board meeting.

    February 11, 2012

  • Check Bluford students collect donation

    BLUFORD — There probably hasn’t been much loose change jingling in parents’ pockets who have children attending Bluford Grade and High Schools the last three weeks.

    February 11, 2012 1 Photo

  • CASA Men Cooking for CASA winners

    MT. VERNON — The first-ever Men Cooking for CASA fundraiser officially came  to a close Thursday afternoon.

    February 10, 2012 1 Photo

  • Brehm offering free computer classes

    MT. VERNON — C.E. Brehm Memorial Library is offering free computer classes through a grant funded by Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

    February 10, 2012

  • Teachers receive grants

    MT. VERNON — Ten City Schools District 80 teachers recently received grants from the District 80 Foundation.

    February 10, 2012

  • Overdose immunity law to go into effect

    MT. VERNON — Gov. Pat Quinn signed a law that will go into effect June 1, which will give immunity from prosecution to people who call 911 to report drug overdoses.

    February 10, 2012

  • Heart Night Second Women’s Heart Night held

    MT. VERNON — A sea of ladies dressed in red descended upon Cedarhurst Center for the Arts on Thursday for the second Women’s Heart Night.

    February 10, 2012 1 Photo