Illinois governor announces grants to aid coal industry
BYLINE: Sparta News-Plaindealer, Sparta, Ill.
Nov. 8--Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich announced more than $8 million in Opportunity Returns grants to support the state coal industry.
"We have a way to cut our dependence on foreign energy and keep billions of our hard-earned dollars here at home, in our economy, creating more jobs, rather than leaving Illinois forever. We have the resources. We have the technology. We have the expertise. That is why we invested more than any other state in new technologies and new operations to continue the revitalization of our coal industry. These grants are leveraging almost $63 million in private investment, which will help put more people to work and contribute to a more secure energy future for our nation," Blagojevich said.
Funding comes from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) through its Office of Coal Development, which is providing more than $8 million for 19 projects, leveraging almost $63 million in private investment in the Illinois coal industry. Since beginning in 1997, the program has used $128 million in state funds to leverage $856 million in private investment.
The grants are provided through the Illinois Coal Competitiveness Program, which competitively selects worthy projects based on several economic criteria, including the creation or retention of jobs, the deployment of clean coal technology and the modernization of operations to sustain coal mining in Illinois for the future. This grant program, redesigned by Gov. Blagojevich in 2003, provides up to 25 percent of the cost of each project.
"There is no greater advocate for the coal industry than Gov. Blagojevich. By continuing to invest in projects that are moving this important industry forward, we will continue to create good jobs for today and tomorrow" State Rep. Dan Reitz (D-Steeleville) said.
Coulterville Coal Company received a grant of $667,560 for the reopening of the Gateway Mine (formerly Zeigler #11) in Randolph County. The mine utilizes room and pillar mining to produce an estimated 2.3 million tons of steam and stoker coal annually.
Knight Hawk Coal, LLC received a $750,000 grant for the construction and development of the Prairie Eagle Underground Mine in Perry County. The mine utilizes the Superior High-Wall Miner in a combination surface and high-wall operation to access deep surface mineable reserves. The mine will produce approximately 1 million tons per year over 14 years.
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