Local News

Manar Appointed to 2 State Coal-related Boards

Fri, 03 Nov 2017 10:25:45 CDT

State Senator Andy Manar has been appointed to two state boards charged with research and policy development affecting the Illinois coal industry.

In a statement released Wednesday, Senator Manar said he is proud to have a greater voice in promoting Illinois coal because of its potential for job growth in central and southern Illinois. Manar was appointed to the Illinois Coal Development Board, which sets and promotes a yearly agenda for research and methodologies to increase the use of Illinois coal resources. The board also advises the Office of Coal Development and the Illinois Clean Coal Institute on coal research and development policy projects.

Additionally, Senator Manar was appointed to the state's Flue Gas Desulfurization Task Force, which was established in September under legislation that Manar sponsored. The panel will weigh the costs and benefits of using modern scrubber technology on coal-fired power plants to burn Illinois coal, as well as the cost of constructing new stacks compared to converting existing stacks at plants.

The task force will report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly and the governor.