Three Kentucky Coal Plants Rank Among the Deadliest in America

KENTUCKY - A report released by the Sierra Club today reveals soot pollution from coal-fired power plants causes 3,800 premature deaths every year, with just 10 percent of coal plants responsible for over half of the deaths. Kentucky coal plants Mill Creek, Ghent, and Shawnee are amongst the deadliest in America when it comes to premature deaths from soot (pm2.5) pollution. 

The report, titled “Out of Control: The Deadly Impact of Coal Pollution,” investigates the extent and effect of soot pollution from coal-fired power plants in the United States, where that pollution is felt, which plants and parent companies are at fault, and what can be done to ensure all communities have clean air. 

From the Report:

The report is also accompanied by an interactive dashboard that anyone can use to determine not only the impact of soot pollution in their community but the companies and coal plants directly responsible.

Key findings of the report include: 

• Just 17 coal plants are responsible for over half of all premature deaths from soot pollution released by coal plants.
• Only four percent of premature deaths from coal-fired power plants occur in the same county where the plant is located, and only 18 percent of premature mortality from remaining coal-fired power plants occurs in the same state where the plant is located.
• Some states are "importers" of soot pollution's burdens, meaning they experience more harm than they cause, while other states "export" a lot of soot pollution and its burdens to other states. For example, soot pollution from coal plants in Kentucky kills 304 people outside of the state’s borders every year, while 234 people die in New York every year due to soot pollution from coal plants–although New York does not have any active coal plants. 

In response, Sierra Club Kentucky Chapter Chair Drew Foley released the following statement:

“Coal power will always be a proud part of Kentucky’s past, but coal’s time is up. Not only does burning it exacerbate the climate crisis, but its particulate pollution continues to kill people. As a Kentuckian, I’m so disappointed and angry that our Kentucky utilities are so far behind the curve in transitioning away from coal and toward renewables.”