Alton Department of Planning and Development officials stated that a stop-work order was issued on Anzu Power’s petroleum plant development site on a lot commonly referred to as 10 Cut Street.
The order was posted on April 7, roughly 13 days after community members voiced opposition to the measure at a contentious Alton City Council meeting on March 25. Planning and Development officials said the stop-work order was issued in part because the property lacked the required environmental permits to occupy the lot for the construction of a petroleum plant.
Under the International Property Maintenance Code, “Any person who shall continue any work after having been served with a stop work order, except such work as that person is directed to perform to remove a violation or unsafe condition, shall be subject to fines established by the authority having jurisdiction.”
During the March 25 meeting, Anzu Power spokesperson Orion Bailey gave a presentation to the City Council. Many members of the public and the Council questioned whether Anzu Power had the proper permits and approvals needed to open a petroleum plant.
Aldermen Michael Velloff and Chris Bohn were among those most concerned with a lack of approval from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the City Council, in part because Anzu Power’s website and documentation touted the support of the City of Alton and EPA approval, both of which Bailey could not prove existed when presenting to the City Council.
“You’re working with the EPA?” Bohn asked. “You don’t have EPA approval. … On your website, it says EPA approved.”
As of Thursday, an Illinois EPA spokesperson said Anzu Power has not received formal permit approval, though it’s possible Anzu Power submitted a request to begin construction of a petroleum plant.
Alton City Council members have postponed a vote to approve the new energy site until the plant has completed all necessary environmental and permitting tasks, including a public hearing.