1000 lbs emissions per megawatt-hour electricity would require future coal-powered generating stations to capture approximately half of their output. The limit would not apply to existing and under-construction generating stations, including PSEC. In 2020 PSEC was among the ten largest industrial sources of in the United States. The Biden administration took office with a platform of transitioning US electrical generation to net zero emissions by 2035. At the 2035 target date the plant will still have decades of expected lifespan remaining. A 2021 Illinois law requires PSEC plus one other municipally-owned coal power station to reduce their carbon emissions by 45% by 2035 and become carbon-free by 2045. Other coal and oil-fired power stations in Illinois over 25 MWe must become carbon-free by 2030, and natural gas plants by 2045. Costs PSEC started delivering electricity in 2012 at prices well above market rates. Some of its investors resell the energy at a loss, some raise consumer rates, and two backed out of the project. PSEC's original $2 billion estimated cost attracted municipal electric utilities to invest and to sign 28 year contracts. However, as of early 2010 the estimated cost had increased to $4.4 billion, requiring investors to borrow more money and raising the projected cost of electricity to undesirable levels. Peabody in response capped construction costs at "approximately $4 billion" excluding some costs such as coal development and transmission lines. In January 2013, with many municipalities adversely impacted by the high prices, the SEC subpoenaed information from Peabody. In a bid to exit its share of the Prairie State project, the City of Hermann, MO filed a lawsuit in March, 2015 against the Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission and the Missouri Public Energy Pool, claiming that its share of $1.5 billion in debt issued to support Prairie State imposed an unconstitutionally high level of debt on the city. Peabody divested its 5.06% stake in the project in 2016, accepting $57 million for its original investment of nearly $250 million. The buyer was Wabash Valley Power Association, a Midwest cooperative. See also Longview Power Plant References External links Prairie State Energy Campus company web site Coal-fired power stations in Illinois Buildings and structures in Washington County, Illinois Energy infrastructure completed in 2012 Peabody Energy