A court has recently ordered Ameren Missouri to allocate $61 million towards projects aimed at mitigating violations of the Clean Air Act at the Rush Island Power Plant near Festus.
The Environmental Protection Agency has revealed that the order resolves long-standing litigation and addresses 14 years of unpermitted “excess emissions” of sulfur dioxide.
Under the order, Ameren Missouri has committed to allocating $25 million towards the distribution of air filter vouchers to approximately 125,000 households in eastern Missouri. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of indoor air within homes. The terms of this agreement were collaboratively proposed by Ameren Missouri, the Sierra Club, and the Department of Justice.
The EPA states that emitting excessive amounts of SO2 increases the risk of lung disease, heart disease, and premature death in communities located downwind. This is primarily due to the presence of harmful particulate matter in the air.
St. Louis area school districts will receive an additional $36 million to support their transition to zero-emission, all-electric school buses.
According to the EPA, if Ameren fails to meet the benchmarks outlined in the agreement, they will be required to carry out an additional project that focuses on energy efficiency upgrades in the St. Louis metro area.
The EPA accused Ameren of violating Clean Air Act standards for years by operating the coal-fired power plant and failing to install air emission controls at the Rush Island facility, located southeast of Festus.
In 2011, the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a complaint against Ameren in the Eastern District of Missouri. Six years later, in 2017, the court ruled in favor of the DOJ’s claims, stating that Ameren had violated the Clean Air Act.
Five years ago, the Court ordered Ameren to comply with Clean Air requirements at Rush Island and implement controls to reduce emissions. Despite appeals, Ameren eventually announced that it would close the plant, which was subsequently ordered by the Court in October 2024, according to the EPA.
The Director of the EPA Region 7 Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division expressed in a statement that Ameren’s illegal emission of thousands of tons of harmful pollution into the air, which St. Louisans breathe daily, has caused significant harm to human health. While it is impossible to reverse this widespread damage completely, the court order issued today mandates that Ameren fund projects aimed at improving air quality. This decision aims to make the air a little cleaner and provide a sense of justice to the public.
Avery Martinez is a dedicated journalist who specializes in covering water, agriculture, and the environment for First Alert 4. He is not only a talented reporter but also a valued member of the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk. Avery’s expertise extends from exploring corn farms and addressing hunting concerns to investigating local water rates and monitoring buffalo health.
