Illinois EPA Denies NRG’s Inadequate “Preliminary” Closure Proposal and Monitoring Plan for Toxic Coal Ash at Lincoln Stone Quarry

Springfield, IL —

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) ordered Midwest Generation, a subsidiary of NRG,  to fix its groundwater monitoring and preliminary closure plans and to set aside adequate funds to properly monitor and close the Lincoln Stone Quarry coal ash dump, near Joliet, IL.

The Joliet 9 and Joliet 29 power plants were converted from burning coal to gas in 2016, but the coal ash, which had been dumped in a nearby quarry for decades, remained—with more coal ash dumped into the quarry until 2019.  Coal ash – the toxic sludge left after burning coal to produce electricity – is a dangerous mix of hazardous pollutants, metals, carcinogens, and neurotoxins.

The coal ash dumped in Lincoln Stone Quarry has been leaching unsafe levels of hazardous chemicals into nearby groundwater for decades. As far back as the early 1990s, the company’s own testing revealed that hazardous pollutants were contaminating groundwater at the quarry and moving toward residential drinking water wells.

On March 9, IEPA denied Midwest Generation’s permit application, concluding that the company’s plan to monitor groundwater was inadequate; its preliminary closure plan did not satisfy closure standards, including the requirement that coal ash not be left soaking in groundwater; and that the funds Midwest Generation proposed to set aside to monitor and close the ash dump were not sufficient.  IEPA gave Midwest Generation 90 days to resubmit an application that sets out plans for comprehensive groundwater monitoring, proper closure, and sufficient funding to carry those out, in accordance with Illinois’s Coal Ash Pollution Prevention Act.  

“Lincoln Stone Quarry’s coal ash pit has been leaching poison toxins into local wells for over 30 years. Citizens Against Ruining the Environment-CARE has repeatedly requested the EPA to demand Midwest Generation to remove toxic coal ash to bedrock for the protection of residents and the environment from this site,” said Ellen Rendulich, Citizens Against Ruining the Environment-CARE. “We are elated that the IEPA has finally reviewed and denied Lincoln Stone Quarry‘s request for a permit.”

“Our state has far too many dumpsites where toxic chemicals in coal ash are actively contaminating rivers, lakes, and drinking water supplies,” said Jenny Cassel, Earthjustice Senior Attorney. “It is heartening to see the Illinois EPA finally doing its job to protect our communities and waterways from the toxic mess that power companies have for so long sought to ignore.” 

“For decades, residents around the Lincoln Stone Quarry have been sounding the alarm about groundwater contamination. Our water is not something to be played with. I’m encouraged that the Illinois EPA is requiring Midwest Generation to go back and develop stronger plans to protect public health and our environment,” said Destinee Ortiz, Will County Board member.

“I appreciate the IEPA for enforcing accountability for our communities. For far too long, we have seen corporations profit from local resources while leaving communities to bear the consequences. Strong and consistent enforcement of remediation requirements is critical to ensure that the responsibility for cleanup remains with those who caused the harm, not the taxpayers.” said State Senator Rachel Ventura.

“This is the first time the Illinois EPA has denied a coal ash permit since Illinois’s coal ash rules were finalized in 2021. Midwest Generation and coal ash polluters take note: the Agency is willing to say no,” said Andrew Rehn, Climate Policy Director at Prairie Rivers Network. “The residents of Will County, especially those living close to Lincoln Stone Quarry, deserve to see Midwest Generation held to the strong standards created by the Coal Ash Pollution Prevention Act.”