Coal has played an unquestionable role in the development of Southern Illinois—historically, economically, and culturally.  For long years it was one of the most important economic engines of this part of the state.  Whole towns grew up around the coal industry, and Illinois coal fueled power plants and factories all over the country.  Roads, railroads, and waterways were developed to get coal from mines to consumers.

Then, in the latter half of the Twentieth Century, new environmental regulations began to take their toll on the mining industry.  Because coal—particularly the kind of coal found in Southern Illinois—is a greater pollutant than other fuel sources, the demand for coal slackened.  Mines began to close.  Miners were forced to look for new work.  Road and rail lines began to fall into disrepair.  Some communities even saw precipitous drops in their population levels.  Still, even though it was diminished, the Southern Illinois mining industry survived.  We Southern Illinoisans are tough people, hard workers who push on no matter how big a challenge we face.

 These days, we’re seeing a revival of the coal industry.  New technology is making it possible to use coal as a fuel source without excessive pollution.  Moreover, there is a much greater remaining supply of coal than of other fossil fuels—and the United States has enormous domestic reserves.  Illinois has the third largest recoverable coal reserve in this country: 1.29 billion tons.  Even after the relative decline of our coal industry, we remain the ninth largest coal producer in the United States.  Each year, Illinois produces 32.45 million tons of coal.  Most of that coal is used in the United States, particularly the Midwest and neighboring states.  Given the size of our reserves, I believe that Illinois has the potential to redevelop our industry and become a much larger coal producer.

As one of Southern Illinois’ representatives in Springfield, I have been working toward that very goal for years.  I have tirelessly worked to bring money back for coal industry infrastructure, to encourage the development of new coal-related technology, and to improve safety for the hard-working men and women who work in the mines.  I believe that only by combining all three of these factors can we restore coal to its place as a major engine of growth and source of employment.

In my years in the Illinois Senate, I have successfully worked with my colleagues in the House, governors, unions, and industry officials to find money for coal mine and infrastructure development.  In 2003, I worked with the governor’s office and my predecessor to bring $17.2 million to Southern Illinois for coal infrastructure.  This money was used to develop transportation routes and to improve coal preparation facilities.  In 2005, I helped find $15 million in grants that helped coal mines and coal-burning power plants in Perry, Washington, Saline, and White Counties.  This year, I worked with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Governor’s Office to expedite the permit process for two new mines in Hamilton County.  Each mine that opens brings hundreds of direct jobs to the area, and each mining job creates five or six support jobs.  Each new mine we open literally brings thousands of jobs to Southern Illinois.

I have also done everything I can to support the development and use of new clean coal technologies.  The best example of these technologies is the FutureGen plant being built near Mattoon.  This power plant will have extremely low emissions.  Low-emission power plants are good for the environment, but they’re even better for the coal industry.  Each one of these plants is going to require coal that mines in Southern Illinois can provide.  I worked with other state and federal officials to make Illinois an attractive site for the FutureGen plant, and after years of negotiations and setbacks, it looks like it will finally be a reality.  Once the plant is built, it should greatly increase demand for Southern Illinois coal.

Although FutureGen is certainly the largest technological investment Illinois has made in coal, we haven’t been idle on other fronts.  In 2005, I sponsored a law that expanded the legal use of combusted coal byproducts to include asphalt, shingles, bricks, running tracks, and more.  By expanding the uses of coal, we also increase the demand for coal and the economic viability of coal production.  I also supported a law to encourage companies that create synthetic natural gas from coal.  In 2003 and 2004, I worked with my colleagues to make available $300 million dollars in bonds for advanced technology coal plants and $500 million for developing coal-burning power plants.  For the past few years, I have been working with the federal government to find a way to increase the depth of Rend Lake.  I would eventually like to see a clean coal plant here in Southern Illinois, and making sure we have an adequate source of fresh water is an important first step.

Finally, I have worked every year to increase mine safety.  Mining is by nature a dangerous job.  Miners work with explosives and spend significant amounts of time underground in treacherous conditions.  We need to do everything we can to ensure their safety.  In 2006, I sponsored a law requiring mines to supply safety-life cords and self-contained rescue devices.  This year, I passed a law that makes mine rescue vehicles official emergency vehicles—like ambulances and fire trucks.  These important safety improvements will save lives if Illinois ever experiences a mine-related disaster.  I also managed to help Rend Lake College get the money it needed to finish its new Mine Training Center.  A well-trained miner is a safer miner.

Overall, I have been enormously impressed by the cooperation I have seen on mining issues.  Miners, miners’ unions, mining companies, legislators, governors, the Department of Natural Resources, and other state agencies have all worked together to develop Illinois’ coal mining capacity.  We all know that coal is one of our most valuable natural resources.  By opening new mines, we create thousands of jobs, and generate millions of dollars for Illinois’ economy.  Coal mining was once the backbone of Southern Illinois industry.  By working together and taking advantage of new technology, we can restore mining to its rightful place and revitalize Southern Illinois communities and infrastructure.  Hopefully, in the not-too-distant future, Southern Illinois’ roads and railways will once more run black with coal and our low-emission power plants will protect the clear skies and clean earth.