Edward Smith, edward.smith@sierraclub.org
Jefferson City, Mo – Following executive orders on coal last week, three utilities received an exemption so they can continue releasing mercury and other toxins into Missouri’s air and water at five different coal plants.
The Mercury and Air Toxics Standards are expected to prevent 11,000 premature deaths, 4,700 heart attacks, and 130,000 asthma attacks if all coal plants are in compliance. Last month, the Trump Administration invited utilities to email the administration for an exemption from these standards.
The impacted utilities and coal plants include:
- Ameren Missouri: Labadie coal plant in Labadie
- Ameren Missouri: Sioux coal plant in Portage Des Sioux
- Associated Electric Cooperatives Inc: New Madrid coal plant in New Madrid
- Associated Electric Cooperatives Inc: Thomas Hill coal plant in Clifton Hill
- City Utilities: John Twitty coal plant in Springfield
Ameren’s Labadie coal plant released 153.7 lbs of mercury in 2023, making it the fifth-largest emitter among coal plants in the country. Sierra Club’s comments on mercury emissions compliance with EPA’s rule can be found here (pg. 9-11). Total annual emissions from coal plants can be found here.
Experts say there's no safe level of mercury consumption in humans. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration notes that the combustion of fossil-fuels leads to mercury accumulation in our environment, including water bodies. Even the Missouri fish consumption notices point out that mercury gets into our environment due to burning fossil fuels (pg. 17).
Statement from Jenn DeRose, Missouri Senior Organizer with the Sierra Club:
“Mercury is one of the most well-documented toxins to human health, so it’s absolutely alarming that the people running these Missouri utilities asked for an exemption to keep releasing literal tons of toxins into our air and water when burning coal. Missourians should tell their utility and lawmakers that they don’t want to eat toxic fish, drink toxic water, or breathe toxic air, because that’s what’s happening right now.”
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.