Two Demonstrations Against Glenwood Power Plant Planned Thursday

GLENWOOD, IL — A group of residents from across the south suburbs are planning a series of demonstrations Thursday to voice their opposition to a natural gas-powered electricity generation plant project that Glenwood officials are considering.

The group includes members of Illinois Southland Against Fossil Energy, or IL-SAFE. They plan to demonstrate outside of the Cook County Board of Commissioners' meeting in Chicago Thursday morning and at the South Suburban Mayors and Managers dinner in Glenwood Thursday evening.

They are opposed to the plan that they say will adversely affect air and soil quality, residents' health and property values.

Oak Meadow Energy of Boston is planning to generate electricity with its natural gas-powered plan on the west side of Cottage Grove and north of Joe Orr Road, and would build two natural gas turbines and one steam turbine on the site. It expects to generate 1,250 megawatts of electricity to sell to utilities, including ComEd. Proponents say it will spur hundreds of jobs and draw more than $4 million in tax revenue.

The project, however, has not yet been approved. The Village of Glenwood is set to vote Tuesday night on whether to conduct an independent environmental impact analysis before it moves forward with planning and zoning approvals.

The Cook County Board meeting will be held at 9 a.m. at 18 N. Clark St., Chicago. The South Suburban Mayors and Managers dinner will be held at 5:30 p.m. at Glenwoodie Golf Club at 19301 S State St., Glenwood.