West Kentucky Star

Southern Illinois

(9) Comments

The entrance to the Electric Energy Inc. plant in Joppa.<br>PHOTO:Jim Hall

The entrance to the Electric Energy Inc. plant in Joppa.
PHOTO:Jim Hall

Electric Energy in Joppa Confirms Layoffs

By WestKyStar Staff

JOPPA, IL - Electric Energy Incorporated in Joppa, Illinois has announced that 44 people will lose their jobs by mid-August.

President William H. Sheppard calls the decision to cut the jobs "an unfortunate situation" but said the company must prudently reduce their costs due to lower wholesale power prices. Prices for electricity are currently 15% below 2011 levels and almost 60% lower than 2008. Sheppard says that, as a merchant producer, EEI's business is market dependent, and that weak prices in downstate Illinois add to the challenges facing the company and the decision to reduce staff.

EEI operates 1,002 megawatts of generation in Joppa, and sells the power throughout the Midwest.

Published 04:35 PM, Wednesday Jun. 13, 2012
Updated 06:09 AM, Friday Jun. 15, 2012

Please login to leave a comment.

View (9) Comments
- Name: PBT D.
  
  6/18/2012 8:33:47 PM
  
  The people of Illinois can thank the president they voted for and his EPA regulations. Cap and Trade! Might want to think about sending him back to his home in Chicago. If you vote for him again, blame YOURSELF for back things coming.
  
  Report Abuse
  
  Name: eddy a.
  
  6/18/2012 9:58:53 AM
  
  Where will these people find a job at when their is no jobs for all the people in america.Obama's job program is not working for america it is working for china.
  
  Report Abuse
  
  Name: Independent T.
  
  6/18/2012 8:51:40 AM
  
  Yep, basically another copy and paste. Thanks for the information Mark s.
  
  Report Abuse
  
  Name: Mark s.
  
  6/14/2012 2:56:31 PM
  
  Bobby, such a simple comment from a simple mind. I wish what you said was the case, but unfortunantly, it isn't. The responsibility of EEI is to produce power and make a profit for its shareholders. They will make the customer pay as much as they can get away with. Lucky for us, they have compete with other Power plants to sell their power. That is what keeps prices lower. You should take an economics class. It will make you SMARTER. My 10 year old knows this concept but in your defense, they are learning things at a younger age now. Thanks for the info on the press release, you might be right.
  
  Report Abuse
  
  Name: Bobby M.
  
  6/14/2012 2:11:59 PM
  
  EEI is not in business to provide employment; it is their responsibility to reduce expenses. Also anytime a story says that it is a staff report it is probably from a press release.
  
  Report Abuse
  
  Name: Mark s.
  
  6/14/2012 1:51:11 PM
  
  Also wanted to add how sorry I am to the EEI personel that are getting laid off. I worked there several years ago and most of the personel are very close and a good bunch of people. It will be a hard time for those remaining as well.
  
  Report Abuse
  
  Name: Mark s.
  
  6/14/2012 1:45:04 PM
  
  The West Ky Star staff member that wrote this article could have done a little more research and gave better information on this layoff. Two of the biggest reasons for this layoff is the extremely mild winter and spring we had. There was less energy needed to heat homes. For most people this is a good thing due to less heating costs. Less generation means less coal being burned. Better for the environment too. About the only people it hurts are the employees relying on this generation. From coal producers to power plants. The other BIG factor is the added cost of the new environmental regulations that are starting to take effect. Some are good, while others are a waste of money and politically driven. EEI had to spends tens of millions a couple of years ago to install a carbon injection system used to reduce the amount of mercury in the flue gas. Sounds like a worthy cause, until the amount of mercury reduction is looked at. the amount of murcury reduced is roughly a half of a five gallon bucket full. Now the residual ash that was once used to make portland cement is no longer usuable and has to go to a landfill. I wonder if this had an affect on Lafarge and its recent layoffs. Maybe a better use of this money that has minor effect to help the environment couldn't be used for greener alternatives to reduce our dependency on coal. Other environmetal regulations are coming and it will result in an increase in electricity cost. There are no more personel to cut. Sorry so this is so long and disjointed but the article gives no information. Wanted to throw a few things in.
  
  Report Abuse
  
  Name: Animal A.
  
  6/14/2012 12:53:18 PM
  
  actual translation: "We are making enough money off the energy we sell so we are laying some ppl off and putting more money in our pockets"
  
  Report Abuse
  
  Name: Michael N.
  
  6/14/2012 11:32:07 AM
  
  Wander why my electric bill has not gone down.
  
  Report Abuse

Southern Illinois

Weather

Traffic Now

Most Commented Stories

Video