Ameren Missouri has been ordered to pay 61 million dollars for projects aimed at mitigating violations of the Federal Clean Air Act. This decision follows 14 years of unauthorized excessive emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2). Among the projects, 25 million will be allocated to approximately 125,000 households in East Missouri, primarily low-income, for the purchase of HEPA filters. The remaining 36 million will allow St. Louis school districts to transition to all-electric school buses. This settlement resolves years of litigation and ensures a minimum of environmental justice for communities affected by Ameren‘s pollution.
Ameren Missouri condemned: a historic sanction
The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri has recently ordered Ameren Missouri to pay 61 million dollars to compensate for violations of the federal Clean Air Act. This decision comes after a long litigation concerning the illegal emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) from the Rush Island power plant. The company has thus been found guilty of emitting pollutants excessively without authorization for 14 years, endangering the health of residents in the St. Louis area.
Projects for better air quality
As part of this agreement, Ameren will invest 25 million dollars to distribute vouchers to about 125,000 low-income households in East Missouri, allowing them to purchase high-performance HEPA filters. These filters are designed to improve indoor air quality, thus mitigating the effects of past illegal emissions. The remaining 36 million will be used to help St. Louis school districts transition to fully electric and zero-emission school buses. This initiative aims to support the communities most affected by Rush Island pollution by providing sustainable and eco-friendly solutions for the future.
The closure of the Rush Island plant and its repercussions
Faced with legal and regulatory pressures, Ameren chose to close the Rush Island plant instead of installing costly emission controls. This decision, mandated by the court, will take effect in October 2024. The closure marks the end of an era for one of Missouri’s largest coal plants, following more than 13 years of litigation. With this closure, the company is striving to rectify its mistakes and reduce its environmental impact in the long term to protect surrounding communities. Official EPA source.
