Edward Smith, edward.smith@sierraclub.org
St. Louis, MO - In a surprise outcome last week, the Missouri Air Conservation Commission (MACC) failed to advance the new regional haze plan proposed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which the MACC oversees. Missouri will miss its new deadline of August 15, 2022, to submit a plan to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), even though the federal agency gave states an additional three years to comply when it amended the Regional Haze Rule in 2017. The MACC vote on DNR’s regional haze plan occurred during the same meeting that included a public hearing on the agency's ‘do-nothing’ plan for Ozone pollution.
Haze impacts 90 percent of our country’s national parks, and the same pollutants responsible for the widespread air pollution also harm public health, particularly in communities targeted by generations of systemic racism. Air pollution from burning fossil fuels and other sources worsens community health, drives up healthcare costs, and makes it harder for kids to learn and play and adults to work. Missouri has at least twenty facilities that are sources for haze at our most iconic national parks and wilderness areas, according to the National Parks Conservation Association.
A coalition of environmental organizations filed in the U.S. District Court in April that compels the EPA to enforce its Regional Haze Rule, which can be found here. The Center for Biological Diversity, Environmental Defense Fund, National Parks Conservation Association, and Sierra Club filed the lawsuit and are represented by Earthjustice.
Statement from Jenn DeRose, Campaign Representative for Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign in Missouri:
“The decision to deny DNR’s ineffective regional haze plan was a welcome surprise, given the agency’s long record of toothless permits and rules that fall significantly short of protecting people and our environment from large sources of pollution. It’s my hope that the people who testified against the weak regional haze plan at a public hearing in May had an impact on the vote today. I also hope this means the Missouri Air Conservation Commission will listen to the people who testified against DNR’s ‘do-nothing’ ozone pollution plan. Missourians deserve to breathe clean air and the only way we’ll make that happen is by working together.”
Statement from Lynn McClure, Senior Director, Midwest Region, National Parks Conservation Association:
“For months, NPCA and Missourians have spoken out against the state’s regional haze plan, which falls drastically short of protecting the health of our people and restoring clean air in our national parks. And thankfully Missouri’s Air Conservation Commission listened to our concerns. For too long, Missouri has allowed polluters to spew haze pollution into our national parks and communities across the country. It’s time the state set stronger standards, hold polluters accountable and prioritize the health of our residents and future of our national parks.”
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.