Edward Smith, edward.smith@sierraclub.org
St. Louis, MO – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that Ameren Missouri failed to provide enough information to demonstrate its ability to safely operate coal waste facilities at its Meramec and Sioux coal-burning power plants. The coal ash storage facilities in question contain toxic contaminants like mercury, lead, and arsenic, which are often stored in low-lying impoundments near or in groundwater that are often in floodplains.
The incomplete determination means that Ameren will have 135 days from EPA’s final decision to cease dumping coal ash in its ash ponds and initiate closure of the ponds. That could result in Ameren closing the Sioux coal plant before its planned retirement date of 2028, pending a grid reliability assessment from Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), the grid operator. Ameren is currently engaging MISO about grid reliability following its announcement the Rush Island coal plant will close in lieu of adding modern air pollution scrubbers following years of Clean Air Act violations. A public comment period on the incomplete determinations begins on January 25th and ends on February 23rd.
Statement from Andy Knott, Interim Central Region Director for Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign:
“Ameren’s own monitoring has shown that the ash ponds at the Sioux plant have been leaking boron and sulfate into the groundwater at levels far exceeding state standards for years. Ameren must do a better job taking care of our region’s air and water quality because that translates to a better quality of life. It’s encouraging to see EPA enforce these important safeguards to protect Missourians.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.