April 25, 2008

Illinois coal mines post fifth consecutive year without a fatality

Governor Mr Rod R. Blagojevich last week announced that Illinois’ coal mine industry achieved a fifth consecutive year without a fatality, a milestone never before achieved in Illinois. This achievement is a testament to increased safety measures over the last several years and the diligence of mine workers in Illinois to follow safety procedures.

Mr Blagojevich said “Today is a great day for the Illinois coal industry and the men and women who take on tremendous risk each day when they go to work. To go five consecutive years without losing a life in an industry worldwide that has seen its share of recent tragedies is an accomplishment that should not be over looked.”

Mr Blagojevich signed mine safety legislation in July 2006 that provides Illinois miners and rescuers with additional safety measures in the event of an emergency. He originally proposed the legislation in January 2006 following the Sago Mine incident in West Virginia, which killed 12 miners.

Mr Joe Angleton Illinois Office of Mines and Minerals Director said “Safety is the highest priority for all involved in coal mining in our state. Every miner, company official and regulator should take pride in the fact that Illinois has been able to produce approximately 160 million tonnes of coal with an average workforce of 3,500 without a single fatality. Such an accomplishment is a result of the diligence of our miners, Illinois' aggressive inspection and safety procedures, and Governor Blagojevich's commitment to the coal industry.”

Mr Phil Gonet Illinois Coal Association President said “With hard work and commitment, Illinois has become a leader in mine safety. I applaud the efforts of Illinois coal companies and their coal miners who work hard every day to supply a very important product to the state and the nation and I congratulate them on this achievement.”

Illinois now has the most aggressive package of incentives in the nation to spur clean coal fueled power plant development and provide other support for the Illinois coal industry. In July 2003, Mr Blagojevich signed a law that added USD 300 million in revenue bonds to the Coal Revival Program, which provides major tax and financing incentives to large clean coal fueled projects.

In 1980, Illinois employed over 18,000 coal miners and produced 62.5 million tonnes of coal. Today, despite a 77% reduction in workforce and a 66% reduction in operating mines, Illinois coal companies still produce 33 million tonnes of coal annually. Illinois has the largest reported bituminous coal resources of any state in the United States. In terms of energy value, Illinois coal has more British thermal units than the oil reserves of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait combined.