The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri has mandated Ameren Missouri to allocate $61 million for projects addressing violations of the federal Clean Air Act (CAA). This decision concludes prolonged litigation over unpermitted sulfur dioxide emissions from the Rush Island power plant.
Ameren will invest $25 million in vouchers for approximately 125,000 low-income households in eastern Missouri to acquire high-efficiency particulate air filters. These filters aim to enhance indoor air quality. The remaining $36 million will assist St. Louis school districts in transitioning to zero-emission electric school buses. If certain goals are unmet, a third project focusing on weatherization and energy efficiency upgrades in the St. Louis area will be implemented.
David Cozad, Director of EPA Region 7 Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division, stated: “Nothing can undo the widespread harm to human health that Ameren caused by illegally emitting thousands of tons of harmful pollution into the air that St. Louisans breathe every day, but today’s court order requires Ameren to pay for projects that will make that air a little cleaner and provide some measure of justice to the public.”
David M. Uhlmann from EPA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance added: "Today’s agreement holds Ameren accountable for over 14 years of violations, which resulted in excessive sulfur dioxide emissions from the largest coal-fired power producer in Missouri."
EPA accused Ameren of violating CAA regulations by not installing emission controls at its Rush Island plant near Festus, Missouri. In 2011, a complaint was filed against Ameren, leading to a 2017 court ruling favoring the United States.
In 2019, further orders required compliance with CAA standards at Rush Island and mitigation efforts at another plant in Labadie, Missouri. While an appeal upheld these orders for Rush Island, decisions regarding Labadie were remanded back to district court.
Instead of installing controls at Rush Island as initially ordered, Ameren opted to close the plant by October 2024 under court direction.
This settlement resolves outstanding mitigation obligations stemming from CAA violations and years of excess emissions at Rush Island. The resulting SO2 emissions had heightened risks such as lung disease and heart disease among downwind communities.
The resolution aims to offer relief and health benefits particularly targeting those most affected by pollution from Rush Island.
