A State Senator says he’s had it with the political finger pointing over the Taum Sauk reservoir collapse and the repairs that must be made to the facility. Senator Kevin Engler (R-Farmington) is the Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Energy, and the Environment.
During a committee hearing, Engler told Tom Voss, President and chief executive officer of electric utility AmerenUE , that he’s sick of what he calls a three-person chess game being played by the Governor’s office, the Attorney General’s office, and Ameren.
He points out no repairs are being made as long as the threat of legal action hangs over AmerenUE, which has already admitted blame and has been negotiating a proposal to settle the issue. Officials within the Governor’s claim something questionable is going on as a result of Attorney General Jay Nixon and/or his campaign for Governor requesting political contributions from Ameren while the threat of criminal prosecution hangs over the head of the company.
Engler says the people of Reynolds and Iron Counties, which he represents, are being harmed by what he believes is political game playing.