Ameren moves on Taum Sauk rebuild

Ameren moves on Taum Sauk rebuild

	Published : Fri, 23 Feb 2007 22:50 By : Agencies Print this Story

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Ameren Corp. and federal regulators are moving ahead with plans to rebuild the Taum Sauk reservoir, even as legal troubles continue to dog the company over the reservoir's 2005 collapse.

Ameren held a public meeting this month in Reynolds County -- where the reservoir is located -- to update residents on the rebuilding plans. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission plans to hold two public hearings on the plan in March.

While the rebuilding process moves forward, Ameren is still trying to settle legal claims with state authorities. The reservoir's collapse unleashed one billion gallons of water that devastated Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park and injured a family of five.

Ameren is in settlement talks with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to repay the state for damages from the collapse. The agency has asked for more than $125 million.

Attorney General Jay Nixon is also suing the state's largest utility, alleging gross negligence in the reservoir's collapse.

DNR Director Doyle Childers said he has no problem with Ameren moving forward with plans to rebuild the reservoir before it settles claims with the state. He said DNR staff members are examining the plan to make sure it will meet all environmental and dam safety regulations.

'I think it's acceptable to us as long as they do those things,' Childers said.

It's unclear how the rebuilding might affect Nixon's lawsuit. Nixon's office did not return messages seeking comment.

Ameren spokesman Tim Fox wouldn't comment on rebuilding the reservoir beyond the company's initial announcement of the plan.

Ameren plans to tear town the remains of the reservoir's earthen wall and replace them with a concrete dam. Ameren concluded the earthen wall was shoddily constructed in the 1960s and wouldn't meet current safety regulations.

A portion of the kidney-shaped basin collapsed after the basin overflowed. Federal regulators said Ameren officials knew equipment was broken at the reservoir but delayed repairs until it collapsed.

Ameren's new design also calls for overflow release valves in the dam that could prevent catastrophic overtopping.

FERC spokeswoman Celeste Miller said the agency will hold two hearings March 12 to gather public input on Ameren's plan. A morning meeting will be held at DNR offices in Jefferson City and an evening meeting will follow in Lesterville, near the reservoir.

The meetings will only cover environmental effects of the plan, Miller said. Public comments will be included a report that FERC staff members will prepare for the commissioners. The full commission will decide whether to approve the plan, Miller said.