AUGUSTA/LA HARPE ---- Visiting the Hancock County communities of Augusta and La Harpe today on behalf of Governor Rod R. Blagojevich, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) Director Doug Scott joined in the kickoff of a Brownfields site cleanup and announced the county is now the first in the state with all of its school districts participating in the Governor's Clean School Bus Program.

 

"Hancock County may be one of the smallest Illinois counties in population but it looms large when it comes to environmental commitment," said Director Scott.

 

In Augusta, Director Scott joined local officials in kicking off demolition of the abandoned Weinberg commercial building that has been collapsing and must be removed in order to address a leaking underground storage tank and other cleanup needed for redevelopment of the keystone downtown property.

 

Director Scott also presented a large ceremonial check to Village President Sean Eifert and other local officials for the most recent $131,932 from the Municipal Brownfields Redevelopment Grant funds that have been awarded Augusta as part of more than $200,000 awarded for the Weinberg Building project through Governor Blagojevich's Opportunity Returns regional economic development initiative.

 

"As a small community with very limited resources, naturally we had reservations about teaming up with IEPA, but with their guidance and assistance as part of Governor Blagojevich's Opportunity Returns program, we are now in a position to address the blight and environmental concerns associated with the abandoned building in the center of town," said Village President Eifert.

                                                      

Brownfield grants and individualized technical assistance from Illinois EPA has been provided to about 60 communities since Governor Blagojevich took office.

 

In La Harpe, Director Scott announced the La Harpe and Nauvoo-Colusa Community School Districts are the latest to participate in the Governor's Clean School Bus Program, joining the other five districts in the county that previously participated.

 

Launched about two years ago by Governor Blagojevich, the Clean School Bus Program, funded primarily from an enforcement case settlement, has paid for catalysts and other emission controls, and biodiesel and ultra low-sulfur diesel fuels for nearly 2,000 diesel school buses in 65 school districts to help reduce potentially harmful air pollutants and make schoolyards healthier for students and staff.

 

"Hancock County educators and citizens have taken a proactive leadership role in addressing this potential health hazard to their kids and are a shining example to all of Illinois," Director Scott said.

 

Several La Harpe students, including members of the Future Farmers of America that are strongly supportive of biodiesel fuels, used part of the lunch period to attend Director Scott's announcement, along with La Harpe Superintendent Jo Campbell and Nauvoo-Colusa Elementary School Principal Mrs. Maxine Dennison, as well as school board members and some area farmers.

 

"The Clean School Bus Program will enable our district to provide a healthier environment for our children by improving air quality, not only for students riding our buses, but also for everyone around our schools and other areas of the community. Grand funds will enable our existing fleet of buses to be equipped with new clean air technology," said Superintendent Campbell. "The grant will also provide for the cost effective use of biodiesel fuel, which is a cleaner fuel and one that is supported by our local agricultural economy. I greatly appreciate the work of the Illinois EPA. Their efforts and assistance have enabled our district to take full advantage of this grant opportunity."

 

 

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