Federal standards will ensure cleaner, reliable power for Iowa, plus protecting the climate

In a major win for the climate and public health, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized four separate standards that will slash air, water, and carbon pollution from power plants. These critically-needed safeguards will improve air and water quality for families, particularly for Iowa communities suffering from the pollution of MidAmerican Energy’s five massive coal plants, making them the largest carbon polluter in the state.

Over one million people submitted public comments on proposals to strengthen these federal standards, including thousands of Sierra Club members and supporters who urged the Administration to adopt the most protective rules possible. More information on the EPA’s rules can be found here.

In response to the announcement of the standards, Emma Colman, Organizing Representative in Iowa for Sierra Club released the following statement: 

“Despite its flashy marketing campaigns, MidAmerican Energy has been Iowa’s number one carbon polluter with its five coal plants. But the days of unchecked climate pollution from fossil fuel power plants from utilities like MidAmerican are numbered. These standards put the health and safety of everyday people first. Every person, regardless of zip code, deserves clean air, safe water, and a stable climate.”

A summary of the new rules follows:

1. Carbon Pollution Standards will limit pollution from existing coal-fired power plants and new gas plants, reducing climate emissions that go into our atmosphere.
2. Mercury and Toxic Air Standards will protect vulnerable communities from toxic air pollution, including heavy metals and mercury.
3. Coal Wastewater Standards will dramatically reduce the amount of toxic pollutants and heavy metals, including mercury and arsenic, discharged by coal-fired power plants into our rivers and lakes, many of which are used for fishing, swimming, and even drinking water sources.
4. Coal Ash Pollution Rules will protect groundwater and communities near coal plants from old, dangerous coal ash landfills and ash dumps that leak toxic pollutants and metals into our waterways.