Viper Mine coal plant in Central Illinois permanently closed; some caught off guard

WILLIAMSVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — The Viper Mine coal plant locations near Elkhart and Williamsville are permanently closed, and one local official said they weren’t aware of the initial announcement.

On Thursday, Village President of Williamsville Mark Esker said that the coal plant was being torn down and officially closed on Sept. 4. At this time, there is not an estimated completion date on the demolition of the Viper Mine.

The mine had been providing coal to the Springfield area over the course of the last 40 years.

According to CWLP, the closure of the Viper Mine locations was first made public in November 2024 after the Springfield City Council approved a new coal supply contract with Foresight Coal Sales LLC to serve Dallman 4. However, Esker said he only found out of the closure a few months back when it was announced that the workers laid off at the plants would be receiving severance.

Coal supplier Knight Hawk Coal owns the Viper Mine located in Elkhart. WCIA called both phone lines for the Viper Mine coal plant for more information, but both were disconnected.

WCIA also reached out to Vice President of Engineering & Development at Knight Hawk Coal, Thomas J Hasenstab II, but did receive an immediate response.