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As Illinois Phases Out Coal-Fired Plants, One Operation is Exempt

 


 

October 18, 2026 - While Illinois is planning to eventually phase out coal-fired power plants across the state, the plant at Southern Illinois University Carbondale is exempt because of its small capacity.
 
The Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, which was passed in 2021, mandates the closure of large coal-fired commercial electric generating units with a capacity greater than 25 megawatts by January 2045. The SIUC Power Plant operates on a 3-megawatt generator.
 
“SIU Carbondale has no plans to shut down its coal and natural gas power plant at this time,” SIUC spokesperson Jeff Harmon told the Journal Star. “As with most higher education institutions, we will consider alternative energy sources in the future.”
 
Southern Illinois University Carbondale's coal and natural gas-fired power plant produces about 14% of the on-campus electricity supply. 

Southern Illinois University Carbondale's coal and natural gas-fired power plant produces about 14% of the on-campus electricity supply.

PHOTO PROVIDED, SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

 

Even though the Illinois Climate Act does not mandate closure for SIUC’s coal-fired power plant, the school is actively contemplating alternatives to fossil fuels. In December 2022, the university announced a feasibility study on three projects designed to improve energy sustainability. The projects consist of:
  • Retrofitting a 27-year-old coal-fired boiler that supplies steam to heat and cool campus buildings to reduce emissions and installing two new natural gas-fired boilers to replace a 30-year-old gas boiler.
     
  • Building a new electric chiller plant and up to five electric chillers. The new system would replace two 50-year-old steam-driven centrifugal chillers and would more efficiently and reliably air-condition the campus.
     
  • Developing a distributed solar energy generation system and installing public electric vehicle charging stations. The initiative’s aim is to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by supplying up to 10% of the main campus’ annual electricity demand through solar power. 
The total estimated cost for all three projects is between $105 million and $120 million.
“Researching these projects is part of our commitment to sustainability, one of five pillars of our strategic plan, Imagine 2030,” said SIU chancellor Austin A. Lane. “We are aiming to significantly reduce our use of coal and our carbon emissions and to do our part to preserve the environment.”
 
 
An overview of SIUC’s power plant operations
 
The plant produces steam to heat campus buildings, produce chilled water for cooling and to generate electricity. It distributes steam and chilled water to over 50 buildings campus-wide through four miles of underground tunnels and consumes nearly 50,000 tons of coal per year.
The generator produces about 14% of the campus’ annual electricity supply.
 
 
Environmental concerns over coal-fired plants
 
According to Heart of Illinois Sierra Club conservation co-chair Joyce Blumenshine, the environmental impact of coal-fired plants is a primary reason for her organization’s push to ensure their closure. Dangerous particulates that can get lodged in people's lungs can cause serious health problems for those with underlying conditions. 
 
"It can exacerbate asthma attacks, it has been implicated in causing heart attacks or other problems with COPD," she said. "There's a long list of public health impacts from burning coal."
As the Illinois-mandated deadline to close coal-fired power plants gets closer, Blumenshine said the Sierra Club will seek a transition to cleaner power that facilitates job training, employment opportunities and assistance for people impacted by plant closures.
 
She said a key factor in cleaner power sources gaining future acceptance is the willingness of communities and the public to embrace change.
 
"CEJA has provisions for encouraging clean energy," Blumenshine added. "That depends, of course, on people understanding the importance of clean energy and being willing to perhaps change their view or change what they're used to. We have to embrace change, and not everybody wants to do that. It's hard. We will have to change, or we will face the consequences as humans on Earth."