SOUTHERN ILLINOIS - Storm clouds are gathering as The Clear Skies act of 2005 heads back to the Environment and Public Works Senate Committee for a vote Wednesday. Action on the bill, supported by President Bush and the coal industry, has been on hold for two weeks.

One of the 18 members who will decide whether the bill passes to the full senate or dies in committee is U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.

When the bill first came before the committee for a vote on Feb. 16, early predictions suggested there would be a 9-9 deadlock.

Such speculation prompted the chairman of the environmental panel, U.S. Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., to delay action on the measure for two weeks. During the two-week delay, Inhofe wanted to meet with members of the committee in hopes of crafting a compromise that nets additional support for the act.

However, Obama has also been pegged as a potential swing vote, since Southern Illinois had a once thriving coal industry that was later crippled by regulations put into place by the Clean Air Act.

A vote against the bill would put him in the company of fellow committee members Hillary Clinton of New York and Barbara Boxer of California. A vote in favor of Clear Skies would put him in the company of Missouri Republican Kit Bond and the committee's chairman.

In an earlier interview Obama's staff said the senator would oppose the Clear Skies measure as it is written.

But since Inhofe delayed the initial vote the bill has been modified in an effort to move it to the senate floor.

State Rep. Dan Reitz, D-Steeleville said he has not seen the final markup on the bill, but said there is one thing that would benefit the Illinois coal industry.

"What we need more than anything else is certainty that will allow utilities to make an investment in retrofitting," Reitz said.

Reitz's legislative district encompasses the Baldwin Power Plant and the proposed site of the Peabody Energy facility in Marissa. He points out that the Baldwin plant had to switch from burning Southern Illinois coal to low-sulfur coal brought in from western states due to government regulation.

"Senator Obama is in a precarious situation," Reitz said. "He is a freshman senator of a state with a diverse makeup and this is a complicated issue. I'm sure he will make the right decision and then we'll have some sort of certainty in the process."

State Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, R-Okawville, said he has been hesitant to take a side on the issue. However, he mirrors Reitz's argument that there is a need for certainly to boost investments in the regions coal resources.

"I am concerned about any more regulations," Luechtefeld said. "Investors are constantly afraid to invest in the coal industry. One of the biggest concerns I hear from investors is 'What is coming down the road?'"

Clear Skies would set new emission standards for three major pollutants and introduce a market-based approach favored by industry. While proponents of the act contend it would reduce sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and mercury emissions by 70 percent, there would be no limit on carbon emissions.

However, opponents say reductions could be achieved faster through tighter restrictions, which include the current Clean Air Act regulations. Those plants unable to meet the required standards would be able to buy emission allowances from other plants.

The United Mine Workers Union has endorsed and testified in favor of the bill since its introduction.

However, environmental groups in the state, such as Illinois Public Interest Research Group and the Sierra Club, claim Clear Skies would hurt the state's coal industry.

Objections lodged by these groups have delayed the proposed Peabody Energy plant near Marissa. The plant could provide hundreds of well-paying jobs in the region. Gov. Rod Blagojevich visited the region earlier this year to tout the plans for the new Peabody plant.

nicole.sack@thesouthern.com (618) 351-5816