NEW DATA: Illinois’ Prairie State is number 12 top climate polluter in country

Analysis finds Prairie State Generating Station is among the top 50 climate polluters in America, who together emit more greenhouse gasses than most entire states 

CHICAGO – Prairie State Generating Station, a coal plant in Marissa, IL released 11 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions in 2022, placing it among the top 50 climate polluters in the country. That’s according to a new analysis released on Tuesday by Frontier Group, Environment America Research and Policy Center and U.S. PIRG Education Fund.

The analysis finds that the top 50 polluting U.S facilities released a combined 472 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions in 2022, more than any single state but Texas. Out of the top 50 polluters, 45 were power plants that burn coal or methane gas.

“Illinoians don’t have to choose between keeping the lights on and protecting the environment. In 2024 we have the technology to power our lives without trading away our health and a stable climate,” said Abe Scarr, state director of Illinois PIRG.  “Unfortunately, big polluters like Prairie State are still treating the air we all breathe like their own sewer. It’s time they cleaned up their act.” 

Municipalities across the state receive energy from Prairie State via contracts with the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA), which is a co-owner of the plant. These contracts expire in 2035, but IMEA, which receives 80% of its power supply from coal-powered plants, is currently trying to extend its contracts with Illinois municipalities through 2050, locking them into relying on dirty coal power for an additional 15 years. 

Coal-fired electricity, which emits copious amounts of carbon pollution, is on the decline and the U.S. share of electricity generated by renewable energy sources surpassed that of coal in 2022. Seven of the top 50 polluting power plants have planned retirement dates between 2024 and 2038.

“It’s good news for the climate that we’re burning less coal to produce electricity, but replacing it with methane gas, a very climate-damaging fossil fuel, is not a step forward,” said Elizabeth Ridlington, senior policy analyst with Frontier Group. “It’s important that we replace coal with truly clean options, such as wind, solar and geothermal energy.” 

The Biden administration finalized rules in April that will further limit pollution from fossil fuel-fired power plants. For example, one rule requires existing coal-fired power plants to control 90 percent of their carbon pollution by 2039. However, the new rules do not cover existing natural gas power plants, currently the largest source of carbon pollution in the electricity sector.