Gov. Pat Quinn Frdiay rejected legislation that would have cleared the way for a coal and petroleum coke gasification plant on the southeast side of Chicago. The project was scheduled to begin in 2015, but Quinn’s veto puts the future of the plant in question.
Two utility companies that originally signed onto the project, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas, bowed out. The two remaining utilities, Ameren and Nicor Gas, have argued that they would be stuck with too large of a share of the cost of construction. Plant representatives have said that the project would not move forward without approval of the bill.
The controversy put Quinn in an awkward position. He supported the plant and the jobs it would bring to an economically depressed area of the state. However, he founded the Citizen's Utility Board and has presented himself as a consumer advocate for decades.In his veto message, Quinn said, "I support the Chicago Clean Energy project, but it must be implemented in a way that protects the consumers of Illinois.”
Proponents say there are no guarantees that natural gas prices will stay as low as they are now. "we are deeply disappointed in the governor's decision,” said a prepared statement from Chicago Clean Energy. “We know that this $3 billion investment in Illinois was good for the state's economy, its environment, its workers and its consumers."
You can read Jamey's full report at: http://illinoisissuesblog.blogspot.com/2012/08/quinns-veto-could-snuff-out-plans-for.html
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