AFL-CIO pushes for waiver for Illinois plants

SPRINGFIELD -- A labor coalition wants Illinois' pollution control board to waive pollution controls at coal-fired plants being sold by Ameren Corp.

The AFL-CIO is making its position known hours before the Illinois Pollution Control Board is set to meet in Springfield on Tuesday.

The AFL-CIO says that move by the board would provide certainty to employers and communities in central and southern Illinois. But environmental groups say pollution upgrades are needed.

Houston-based Dynegy wants to buy the plants from Ameren, which has a waiver that allowed it to delay installing soot-control equipment at the five plants.

The board refused to transfer the waiver to Dynegy, saying it must make its own case for a waiver. Dynegy says it will do so.

The board is expected to make a decision by November.