New Report Shows Arkansas Utility Entergy is Harming Memphis Air Quality

Memphis, Tenn. — A new report shows that the White Bluff and Independence coal-fired power plants operated by the largest utility in Arkansas, Entergy, emit enough pollution to raise the levels of unhealthy ozone smog in the Memphis area.

The report shows that smog-forming emissions from the coal plants are increasing  ozone levels by 3.45 parts per billion—more than four times the amount public health agencies qualify as a significant amount. Moreover, the plants are significantly impacting Memphis ozone around 32 days every summer.

These emissions of smog-causing nitrogen oxides (NOx) could be reduced at the source by 98 percent or more by installing Selective Catalytic Reduction, a widely used pollution control that has been around for more than 20 years. Today’s report comes on the heels of a similar report in late 2017 that showed that these same two plants were harming air quality in St. Louis, Mo.

Memphians have suffered for decades living with poor air quality that failed basic public health standards, largely due to pollution from the Tennessee Valley Authority’s soon-to-be retired Allen coal plant. New evidence from the report shows pollution from the Entergy coal plants also contributes to ozone smog in Memphis.

“For a long time families in Shelby County endured some of the worst air quality in the region, exceeding safety limits set by the EPA, resulting in Memphis recently being named ‘Asthma Capital of the U.S.’ by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, said Scott Banbury, conservation program coordinator with the Tennessee Chapter of the Sierra Club. “But by the end of this year, TVA will close its Allen coal plant, the biggest polluter in Shelby County, and the greatest source of asthma-triggering emissions. Now this improvement is undercut by evidence that pollution from the smokestacks of Entergy’s Arkansas coal plants is blowing east over the state line, directly into Memphis communities.

“It’s only been about a year since our local smog levels finally cleared up enough to meet air quality standards.The dirty and dangerous pollution coming from Entergy makes it harder for us to maintain compliance with air quality standards and keeping our communities safe from harmful smog. It’s time for Tennessee leaders to call on the state of Arkansas to stop polluting Memphis.”

Glen Hooks, director of the Arkansas Sierra Club, added, “These dirty coal plants are some of the largest coal-burning units in the entire country that lack modern pollution controls. We've been battling Entergy’s pollution in Arkansas for years. To see this same pollution from the White Bluff and Independence coal plants contributing to  smog not only to our state but also to the communities of Memphis and St. Louis is even more outrageous.

“A decision on Entergy’s dirty and aging coal plants is long overdue—clean up and update these coal plants or transition them to retirement. Tennessee and Arkansas deserve better.”