Illinois state Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, testifies in support of his bill to regulate fracking before a legislative committee in May. The bill became law and is currently being implemented by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. PHOTO BY PATRICK YEAGLE Illinois is preparing to allow the use of a controversial method of extracting oil […]
illinois department of natural resources
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What to expect with fracking
Illinois will soon be open range for hydraulic fracturing, the controversial technique for freeing oil and natural gas trapped in underground shale rock. But even as the state prepares its rules governing the technique, some environmental activists are vowing a continued fight in cities and counties across southern Illinois. On June 17, Illinois Gov. Pat […]
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Oil wells not so well
Paula Cook has had it with oil. She and her husband, Jim Cook, live on the 65-acre farm Paula’s ancestors owned 100 years ago. Located outside Edinburg, about 20 miles east of Springfield, the farm hosts a series of oil wells operated by Springfield oil company Bi-Petro, Inc. The oil wells were installed before Paula […]
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Natural gas fracking is coming to Illinois
Illinois is poised to tap into a rich vein of money by allowing an oil and gas drilling method known as “fracking,” but environmental concerns and disagreement over state taxes are keeping that financial well plugged for now. Hydraulic fracturing of shale rock – called “fracking” for short – has been used since the 1940s […]
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IDNR says mine stop order ‘premature’
A few weeks ago, after concerned citizens told the Illinois Department of Natural Resources that Hillsboro Energy, LLC, had started building an 80-foot tall coal slurry impoundment without an approved permit, the state agency in charge of regulating mines ordered the company to stop construction or face enforcement action. A week later, when asked about […]
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Conservation Congress
After a five-year hiatus, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources will reconvene its Conservation Congress, a two-day conference that brings conservationists and recreation advocates together to discuss future opportunities for the agency and for the state. This weekend, on Oct. 24 and 25, anyone with a stake in conservation and recreation — from preservationists and […]
