http://wkms.org en http://wkms.org/post/coalition-says-il-fracking-bill-ready-vote <p></p><p>Supporters of high-volume oil and gas drilling say a bill to regulate the practice in Illinois is ready for a vote after last-minute negotiations over hiring and environmental concerns.</p><p>The House bill initially had strong support in February but stalled over an amendment requiring energy companies to hire Illinois-licensed water well drillers. Instead, companies will get a break on certain taxes if more than half their workers are from Illinois and receive prevailing wages.</p><p> Thu, 16 May 2013 20:02:40 +0000 John Null and The Associated Press 31674 at http://wkms.org Coalition Says IL 'Fracking' Bill Ready for Vote http://wkms.org/post/tva-becoming-less-coal-dependent <p>The Tennessee Valley Authority's reliance on coal has dropped and the use of natural gas as fuel to generate electricity has increased. The Commercial Appeal reports TVA's use of gas climbed 70 percent in the fiscal year ended September 30. At the same time, coal-fired generation declined 30 percent from fiscal year 2011. Mon, 08 Oct 2012 16:27:52 +0000 The Associated Press and Angela Hatton 22967 at http://wkms.org TVA Becoming Less Coal Dependent