DNR Chief Considers Asking AG to Recuse Himself From Taum Sauk Negotiations

Relations between Attorney General Jay Nixon and the Department of Natural Resources appear to have deteriorated so far that DNR Director Doyle Childers is thinking of asking Nixon to recuse himself from any discussions of the Taum Sauk reservoir collapse. Nixon, as Attorney General, is representing the state in possible legal action against AmerenUE, owners of Taum Sauk. But he also has taken about $20,000 in campaign donations from Ameren. And, Childers says he has kept DNR in the dark about what discussions are being held with the company. And, Childers says that worries him because he does not want to find out, too late, that Nixon has cut a deal with Ameren that will not pay for the damages caused by the reservoir collapse.