President Biden and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan have promised to implement a bold, multipollutant strategy with the potential to save thousands of lives, improve the wellbeing of millions across the country–including vulnerable communities of color and low-income communities often located closest to industrial polluters–and stimulate the economy by reducing healthcare costs, missed school days, and work days.
By targeting smog and soot from industrial polluters such as coal and gas-burning power plants, methane from oil and fracked gas development, tailpipe pollution from heavy-duty trucks, toxic coal ash waste from coal plants, and many more sources of pollution, the president’s plan will drastically improve our health and the environment while reminding big polluters that people are always more important than profits.
However, big polluters are closely watching the EPA and are exerting all of their insider influence to make these standards as weak as possible so they can continue to pollute communities with abandon. In fact, while several of these rules languish at the White House, the most dangerous coal-fired power plants are burning fossil fuels like there’s no tomorrow, despite many of their operating companies' claims to the contrary.
While our people-powered movement has retired or achieved retirement commitments for 363 coal plants, 167 stubborn holdouts from a bygone coal-powered world remain. As President Biden weighs rules that could slash pollution from coal plants across the country, we checked in on some of the best of the worst and assessed the harm they cause communities and the environment.
Deadliest Coal Plant in the United States:
General James M. Gavin Power Plant
The Gavin coal plant. Photo by Analogue Kid, Wikimedia Commons.
Particulate matter pollution from the General James M. Gavin Power Plant cuts 244 lives short every year, earning this Cheshire, Ohio polluter the distinguished honor of the deadliest coal plant in the United States. Gavin owes a large part of its lethality to the particulate matter, or soot, the plant releases into neighboring communities. One of the most dangerous air pollutants, particulate matter is a deadly mix of metals, organic chemicals, and acidic substances that contributes to increased infant mortality, cardiovascular disease, asthma, diabetes, cognitive impairments, and premature death.
"Gavin and its piles of coal ash tower over the village of Cheshire, a community that Gavin's previous owners infamously bought out and bulldozed because pollution from the plant was so bad,” Neil Waggoner, Ohio Senior Campaign Representative with the Beyond Coal Campaign said. “This plant poisons the air, destroyed the local community and continues to send that same pollution to more communities downwind to this day. EPA has a responsibility to take action and protect the air and health of communities that have borne the brunt of the impact from this super polluter coal plant."
Second Deadliest Coal Plant:
Labadie Power Plant
The Labadie coal plant.No list of the worst coal plants in the United States would be complete without mention of Missouri’s Labadie Power Plant, the second deadliest coal plant in the country. Not only does Ameren’s super polluter release high levels of soot pollution, but it emits the second most sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide and consistently ranks as a top-ten source of nitrogen oxide. Calls from nearby community members to rein in Labadie’s virtually unchecked air and water pollution have been ignored by state regulators who have chosen to issue free passes to pollute instead of protecting people and wildlife.
“Ameren is one of the most politically influential entities in Missouri. That's why strong federal oversight of the Clean Air Act, and the EPA's enforcement of haze and ozone rules, is critically important,” Jenn DeRose, Missouri Campaign Representative with the Beyond Coal Campaign said. “Black children in St. Louis are ten times more likely to go to the emergency room for asthma than their white counterparts, and the massive amount of pollution billowing from Labadie isn't helping. Missourians and downwind communities deserve clean air.”
Nastiest Nitrogen Oxide Polluter:
New Madrid Power Plant
The New Madrid coal plant.The New Madrid Power Plant, owned by Associated Electric Cooperatives Inc. (AECI) and the City of New Madrid, is one of several big polluters creating some of the dirtiest air in America. It was responsible for releasing 32 million pounds of nitrogen oxide in 2021 alone – more than any other coal plant in the United States. The nitrogen oxide spewing from this Missouri plant contributes to deadly air pollution particles and climate-destabilizing pollution. Nitrogen oxide is also a key ingredient in smog, or ground-level ozone, a dangerous pollutant EPA can reduce through stricter ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards. AECI also has the dubious honor of owning the Thomas Hill coal plant in Missouri, which releases the second most nitrogen oxide, second to New Madrid.
“AECI is responsible for the top two coal plants emitting nitrogen dioxide throughout the country,” Brian Smith, Missouri Organizing Representative with the Beyond Coal Campaign said. “With no retirement date for these coal plants and plans to add new gas, AECI is locking in more than two million Missourians to expensive energy that’s harming our wallets and our health. The electric cooperative and its members are set to miss out on benefits from the Inflation Reduction Act if it doesn’t get serious about this once in a lifetime opportunity.”
Most Sulfur Dioxide Spewed:
Martin Lake Power Plant
The Martin Lake coal plant.Looming over the Martin Lake State Park and campgrounds, Vistra’s East Texas coal plant takes home the award for emitting the most sulfur dioxide, or SO2, pollution. Last year, the Martin Lake plant released 98 million pounds of sulfur dioxide, making it the biggest SO2 polluter in a crowded field of heavy polluters. Exposure to elevated levels of sulfur dioxide pollution for even a few minutes can make it hard to breathe, and prolonged, persistent exposure to sulfur dioxide can cause weakened immune systems and a decreased sense of smell. Children, the elderly, and people with asthma are most affected by high levels of sulfur dioxide pollution.
“My brothers and sisters are suffering from respiratory problems,” Paulette Goree, a volunteer with the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign said. “I’ve suffered from breathing problems in my own home. Health is of the utmost importance to me. It's time for Martin Lake to clean up so that those of us that live near the plant can all breathe cleaner air and live healthier lives.”
By swiftly releasing the strongest science-based standards to fight pollution from coal plants and other industrial sources, President Biden can keep the promises he made and lift the burdens of power-sector pollution from our shoulders.