The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving changes to the Illinois State Implementation Plan (SIP) that were submitted by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency on January 23, 2020. This change removes certain allowances, known as variances, that were previously granted to the Illinois Power Holdings and AmerenEnergy Medina Valley Cogen facilities, specifically regarding sulfur dioxide emission standards. As a result, stricter limits on emissions will be applied to all current coal-fired electrical generating units at these facilities. The changes will take effect on March 31, 2021.
Simple Explanation
The EPA is making rules to make sure two big power companies in Illinois stop getting special permissions to put out lots of a bad-smelling gas, sulfur dioxide, from their coal plants. Now, these companies will have to follow stricter rules to keep the air cleaner.