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Subject: Illinois Fossil Power Plant Concerns
Spring 2006

Dear Exelon,

My concern is the environmental and health impact of two fossil power plants in Illinois owned by Midwest Generation, the sole supplier to one of your Companies, ComEd. The Crawford and Fisk fossil power plants located in SW Chicago are noticeable disturbing. They emit lots of smoke in addition to the steam, and I have strong suspicions that they blow out their generated ash as the color and opaqueness of the stack exhaust changes in the early evenings.

While I understand that these plants are not owned by Exelon nor your subsidiaries, these plants are owned by Midwest Generation who according to a person from ComEd, is the sole provider of power to ComEd.

Midwest Generation boasts of “Environmental Commitment” on it’s web page. I live in the immediate neighborhood and can attest to a different story. These plants produce much particulate matter and are blamed for much woe, sickness and death in the community. One study attributes a death every 40some days to emissions from these two plants.

Further, it is my understanding that these plants do not meet current fossil fuel power plant emissions standards even though, once again, it is boasted on its web page that it does. The cleverness used here seems to be a clause that allowed these plants to be “grand fathered” into the Clean Air Act, bypassing the current requirements. This was to be in effect only until the plants increased their capacity. Apparently, capacity was increased several times while owned by ComEd though it was passed off as repairs.

A further tactic in use seems to be that of confusion. That is, confusing the public as to who owns these plants - Crawford and Fisk.

Lastly, Exelon donated much money to several organizations in the nearby communities - specifically one that I know well, Five Holy Martyr’s Parish School. I find it interesting that such a donation was made to a school that is directly down wind from the Crawford plant.

I ask Exelon to look into this matter and ensure that its suppliers, specifically Midwest Generation, operates its plants with the fullest and most honest respect for the environment and community. This is to include insisting that Midwest Generation immediately install the best available technology and operating procedures on the Crawford and Fisk Power Plants and immediately meet or go better, the non-grand fathered permit limits of today’s fossil power plants, or immediately shut the plants down, all with no increase in cost to us the consumers.

With record reported profits of Exelon, I expect Exelon to work with its suppliers in coming up with an immediate solution and to further work with its Company ComEd to make up for years of community and environmental neglect.

Your attention to this matter is appreciated. Thank you.

Chester J. Kos

cc:
Little Village Environmental Justice Organization
Principal, Five Holy Martyr's School
President, Archer Heights Civic Association