Megan Wittman, megan.wittman@sierraclub.org
Omaha, NE - Yesterday, Sierra Club released a new report, “Out of Control: The Deadly Impact of Coal Pollution.” This report explores the extent and effect of particulate pollution from the country’s remaining coal-fired power plants to understand where that pollution is felt and which plants and parent companies are most responsible.
According to the report, soot pollution from coal-burning power plants is responsible for 3,800 premature deaths annually. In Nebraska, 31 Nebraskans die annually due to all coal plants nationally, while 103 people nationally die prematurely due to coal burning in our state, making Nebraska a net-exporter of premature deaths because of coal plants that operate in the state.
Additionally, the report found that Native Americans are exposed to 21% more soot, or PM2.5 pollution, caused by Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) than white Americans. Soot is the smallest type of particulate matter and of particulate matter types, poses the greatest risk to public health.
Polluted air has been linked to increased asthma rates, bronchitis, blood clots, heart attacks, lung cancer, diabetes, and numerous other adverse health impacts. These health impacts not only affect the quality of life for those who are directly exposed, but can also lead to premature death. In 2021, researchers at the University of Chicago estimated that air pollution reduces life expectancy by more than two years. The vast majority of this pollution is from the combustion of fossil fuels.
In “The Dirty Truth About Utility Climate Pledges, Version 2” report released by Sierra Club in October 2022, that exposes how most major electric utilities greenwash their climate action commitments, NPPD received a failing ‘F’ grade and Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) received a ‘D’ grade.
In response, John Crabtree, Nebraska Campaign Representative, Beyond Coal Campaign, released the following statement:
“This new report confirms that people in Nebraska are dying because of our state’s and nation’s reliance on burning coal. The far-off decarbonization goals of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 established by NPPD and OPPD completely lack the urgency needed to address the climate crisis. In the meantime, the soot pollution from their coal-fired power plants is making us sick and killing us.
“NPPD’s Gerald Gentleman station in Sutherland alone is responsible for 56 deaths per year. NPPD and OPPD must reevaluate their decarbonization and clean energy goals and commit to retiring their coal fleet and transitioning to clean energy by 2030. Nebraskans are literally paying with their lives.”
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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.