BUNKER HILL ­– State Senator Andy Manar lashed out at utility executives and state bureaucrats for fumbling Illinois’ energy policy in allowing one of the most technologically advanced power plants to be targeted for closure, a move that would also devastate families and communities.

Senator Manar issued the following statement regarding Vistra Energy’s announcement that it plans to shut down the Coffeen Power Plant citing new state pollution rules.

“Closing down the cleanest coal-fired power plant in the world makes zero sense. Today, Vistra, the Illinois EPA and Pollution Control Board together failed the environment.

Shame on the Pollution Control Board for not doing its homework and allowing this to happen. If power plants are to be closed, the worst polluters should close first.

In addition, the economic loss related to this closure cannot be fully realized today. Hard-working, middle-class families have had their lives turned completely upside down. Our singular goal in the coming days and weeks should be to help these families through the economic crisis that Vistra set into motion today.

I remain puzzled as to why an out-of-state power company would purchase power plants solely for the purpose of shutting them down. From all outward appearances, Vistra is using Illinois’ Multi-Pollutant Standard Rule (MPS) as an excuse to set into motion something they always intended to do.

If that rule was truly intended to reduce emissions, this move stands in stark contrast to that goal.”