Newton Power Station is a coal-fired power plant located in the U.S. state of Illinois. The facility forms part of the state's coal-based electricity generation infrastructure and has been referenced in discussions on environmental regulation, emissions control, and the planned retirement of coal power plants in the Midwestern United States.[1]
Newton Power Station was developed as part of Illinois’s expansion of coal-fired electricity generation, reflecting the historical reliance on coal for baseload power across the Midwest. Coal-fired facilities such as Newton have traditionally played a role in regional grid stability and local employment, while also attracting scrutiny due to their environmental and public health impacts.
Environmental and regulatory context
Coal-fired power stations are regulated in the United States due to emissions of mercury, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and fine particulate matter. In 2025, Newton Power Station was among several Illinois coal plants reported to have received exemptions connected to changes in federal environmental enforcement affecting a Biden-era rule aimed at limiting mercury and other toxic air pollutants.[2]
Environmental monitoring organisations have also documented Newton Power Station as part of broader efforts to track coal-fired power infrastructure, including operational status and environmental impact indicators.[3]
Planned closure
Local media reports indicate that Newton Power Station is scheduled for a planned shutdown in 2027. The proposed closure has been discussed in relation to regional energy transition strategies, environmental compliance requirements, and the economic effects on nearby communities.[4]
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