BARTONVILLE (January 12, 2015) – Illinois Power Holdings (a subsidiary of Dynegy) with Illinois State Senator David Koehler (District 46) and Illinois State Representative Mike Unes (District 91), announced today a voluntary Memorandum of Agreement, executed with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA), that will reduce allowable emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) from the E. D. Edwards Power Station by more than 90%. The agreement, already effective, will help the Greater Peoria area comply with the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA) 1-hour SO₂ National Ambient Air Quality Standard.

“We are committed to the Greater Peoria communities and the environment, and are proud of our contributions to the economic vitality of our communities,” said Ted Lindenbusch, Plant Managing Director at the Edwards Power Station. “We are voluntarily taking environmentally sound steps forward and continuing to provide the jobs that are vital to the economic livelihoods of the families and communities we serve.”

Under this agreement the Edwards Power Station will continue to utilize low sulfur coal, or other low sulfur fuels, to reduce SO₂ emissions. Emissions from the station have been dramatically reduced over the past 10 years. SO₂ emissions have gone down by 80% since 2004 and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions have declined by 68%.

“Today’s agreement shows Dynegy’s commitment to improving the environmental conditions of Central Illinois while continuing to provide excellent jobs to its residents,” said State Representative Unes. “Edwards is an important part of our community, providing not only energy, but also high quality jobs and $82 million in total economic activity that powers our communities. I applaud this proactive environmental strategy by Dynegy and for their willingness to further commit to our regional economy in Central Illinois.”

Dynegy has previously taken active steps to reduce its environmental impact, investing $2 billion in environmental controls in facilities across Illinois and recently announcing a goal to recycle 100% of coal combustion by-products by 2020.

“By taking another step in this commitment, Dynegy is ensuring that the Peoria area is quickly moving toward attainment of federal standards,” said State Senator Dave Koehler. “As a responsible community partner and neighbor, Dynegy is committed to working with the Greater Peoria community. We are glad to see that Dynegy continues to push forward in controlling emissions even when it limits operation options that could be more profitable in the short term.”

The Edwards Power Station has been a proud part of the Greater Peoria community for over 50 years, providing jobs and electricity in a safe, efficient, reliable, environmentally responsible and affordable manner.

“The Edwards Power Station is an extremely important part of the community, supporting over 70 union jobs and contributing $24M annually in household earnings, directly to the Greater Peoria area,” stated Jim Bates, Business Manager of I.B.E.W. Local 51. “The people employed at the plant are our family members and neighbors and the dollars they spend are going right into our communities; that’s money that is having a direct, positive impact on our area.”

“Dynegy is an important and responsible employer in our community,” agreed Marty Helfers, Executive Director of West Central Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council. “The 100 direct and nearly 300 indirect jobs created by its Edwards Power Station are essential to families, communities and businesses throughout Illinois, while also providing environmentally responsible, reliable and affordable energy to the area.”

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Dynegy Inc. Contacts: Media: 713.767.5800; Analysts: 713.507.6466

This press release contains statements reflecting assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions or beliefs about future events that are intended as “forward-looking statements”. These statements are based on the current expectations of Dynegy’s management. Discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from current projections, forecasts, estimates and expectations of Dynegy is contained in Dynegy’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Specifically, Dynegy makes reference to, and incorporates herein by reference, the sections entitled “Risk Factors” in its 2013 Form 10-K and first, second and third quarter 2014 Forms 10-Q. Any or all of Dynegy’s forward-looking statements may turn out to be wrong. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions or by known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond Dynegy’s control.

By Linda Woods
Canton Daily Ledger- Oct. 22, 2014 
     

      FARMINGTON

Travis Platt is passionate in his efforts to help others, because he wants to give back.

Platt, owner of Platt's Printing in Farmington, says he likes to work with other small businesses and with anyone planning a benefit. His storefront has been open since December of 2013, but the entrepreneur has been in business since he was in junior high school.

"We are light years from where we started," says Platt, who emphasizes small businesses need to stick together. That is why he is proud to be located in Farmington with many small business owners who also want to grow.

He puts his self-taught graphic design efforts, and what he calls 'special prices,' to work for those needing his help. "I offer quality printing and design with good pricing."

Life has not always been easy for Platt, who is confined to a wheelchair due to Muscular Dystrophy.

Through a program offered by the state, he had the help of a personal assistant, who could help with travel and other necessities. That help was taken away suddenly when the state unexpectedly closed his case. His business was in danger of closing and Platt found himself in the battle of a lifetime.

In the midst of that battle, a friend introduced him to State Rep. Mike Unes. Unes learned of his plight and helped Platt get his case reopened and help was restored. "It took about a year and a lot of money," says Platt of the experience.

He is grateful for the help from Unes and says, "I can't even vote for him and yet he is the reason I am being taken care of and the reason I am still in business. He saved my life."

Read more: http://www.cantondailyledger.com/article/20141022/News/141029785#ixzz3Gu583RqP

Pekin, IL.... State Rep. Mike Unes (R-East Peoria) is honored to announce that he is the recipient of the 2014 “Voice of Senior Care” Award from the Illinois Health Care Association (IHCA), which was awarded to him at IHCA’s Convention in Peoria on Sept. 10th.

The Award is given based on a legislators’ proven record of commitment to improving the care for those in long-term care facilities throughout Illinois. Rep. Unes has sponsored several bills to improve the nursing home complaint and compliance unit of the Illinois Department of Public Health, including recently signed HB 5703.

“Families with a loved one in a long-term care facility can rest easier because of initiatives passed by Rep. Mike Unes. He understands long-term care industry issues and has been an ally in working to streamline and bring a level of fairness to the complaint process,” said IHCA Legislative Liaison Ashley Snavely.

“I believe in the mission of IHCA’s member organizations to provide quality accessible health care to those they serve as an integral part of their community’s health program. I am truly honored to receive the “Voice of Senior Care” Award and will work hard to ensure that we continue to improve our long-term care delivery system in Illinois,” said Rep. Mike Unes.

The Illinois Health Care Association was founded in 1950 and led by a 13-member board of directors. IHCA is a non-profit organization comprised of nearly 400 licensed and certified long term care facilities and facilities/programs for the intellectually and developmentally disabled throughout the state.

For more information on this award, please contact Rep. Unes’ District Office at 309-620-8631.

Pekin, IL.... State Rep. Mike Unes (R-East Peoria) is honored to announce that he is the recipient of the 2014 Guardian of Small Business Award from the National Federation of Independent Business/Illinois (NFIB).

The Award is given based on a legislators’ proven record of commitment to small business-friendly practices and free enterprise in Illinois.

“Small business owners in the 91st District can be assured that Rep. Mike Unes has their best interests at heart,” said Kim Clarke Maisch, NFIB/IL State Director. “While we hear a lot of rhetoric on how elected officials support small business, the truth is in their voting record. Rep. Unes clearly understands the best thing government can do to help create jobs and grow the economy is to get out of the way of our state’s entrepreneurs.”

“We know small businesses are the driver of many of the jobs in our State. We need to return common-sense to Springfield by getting out of the way of small businesses to allow them to do what they do best- grow our economy,” said Rep. Mike Unes about why this award means so much to him, adding, “the only truly sustainable way to grow revenue in Illinois is by increasing the amount of commerce occurring in Illinois.”

For more information on this award, please contact Rep. Unes’ District Office at 309-620-8631.

PEKIN – State Representative Mike Unes (R-East Peoria) reports that Governor Pat Quinn signed SB 2695 on Friday afternoon. This bill, which Rep. Unes sponsored in the Illinois House, makes it a crime of official misconduct for an employee of a law enforcement agency to tip off a criminal of pending law enforcement action against them.

This legislation was necessary because of a 2010 Illinois Supreme Court decision that a 911 dispatcher tipping off a criminal of pending law enforcement action was not an act the employee could be charged criminally for committing. The Court’s decision in People vs. Williams was troubling to law enforcement agencies throughout Illinois and this legislation addressed that situation.

“This is not only important to restore trust in the law enforcement system, but also to ensure the safety of officers involved in criminal investigations,” said Unes from Pekin on Friday. “The safety of law enforcement officers involved in an investigation is paramount and I am proud to help to ensure their safety during the course of their investigations through this bill.”

Under the provisions of SB 2695, the act of tipping off a criminal would be a Class 3 felony punishable by two to five years in prison for a police dispatcher - or any other employee of a law enforcement agency- to knowingly inform a criminal of pending law enforcement action against them.

The legislation was supported by numerous law enforcement officials throughout the State.

For more information about this issue, please contact Rep. Unes’ office at 309-620-8631.