Statewide Regional Haze Air Pollution Public Hearing Today
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Public comment period runs through September 3rd
JEFFERSON CITY, MO — Today, the Missouri Air Conservation Commission will hold a public hearing on the flawed draft Regional Haze Plan proposed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). In July 2024, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rightfully disapproved DNR’s 2022 plan in part, however the partial disapproval is not yet finalized. The Air Conservation Commission should reject DNR’s plan and require it to address the deficiencies in its 2022 plan identified by the EPA.
“Our country’s most beautiful places belong to all of us, and we need the Missouri Air Conservation Commission to reject the DNR’s proposed plan and tell the agency to come back with a new one that actually reduces haze-causing air pollution from coal plants,” said Jenn DeRose, Missouri-based Strategist with the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign.
DNR’s latest proposed plan is even more egregious than before because it removes previously established consent agreements at five coal-burning power plants, including AECI’s New Madrid and Thomas Hill plants, Ameren Missouri’s Labadie plant, Sikeston plant, and CU Springfield’s John Twitty plant. DNR’s 2022 plan noted these consent agreements were necessary for the state to maintain its reasonable progress towards natural visibility at our country’s most awe-inspiring views, including Missouri’s Hercules-Glades and Mingo Wilderness Areas. Missouri-based coal pollution also degrades scenic views and the air quality at places like Mammoth Cave and the Great Smoky Mountains National Parks.
“America’s national parks and wilderness areas are truly special places, cherished by millions of visitors to our public lands,” said Crystal M.C. Davis, Senior Regional Director, Midwest; National Parks Conservation Association. “For many, a trip to Great Smoky Mountains or Mammoth Cave is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but nearby Missouri’s air pollution dirties the air and ruins scenic views in these parks and the state’s wilderness areas. Missouri’s Regional Haze Plan leaves tens of thousands of tons of pollution uncontrolled, despite cost-effective solutions available. The Missouri DNR is failing to make progress toward clean, clear, healthy air and improve visibility in our parks for Missourians and all who visit here.”
There are 156 national parks and wilderness areas designated under the Clean Air Act as “Class I” areas, meaning they have specific air quality protections. The Regional Haze Rule is intended to cut air pollution harming skies in these special places so they can return to natural visibility. A staggering 97 percent of national parks suffer from significant or unsatisfactory levels of regional haze pollution, according to the National Parks Conservation Association.
Opportunities for public comment:
- Public hearing on Thursday, August 27, 2026 at 9:00AM. Virtual attendance can be accessed here and the in-person hearing will take place at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area, Oak and Acorn Meeting Rooms, 1401 Northwest Park Road, Blue Springs, MO 64015.
- Written comments are due to the DNR by 11:30PM on September 3, 2026. Comments should be submitted directly to DNR by email to apcpsip@dnr.mo.gov. Note: Comments submitted by email are limited to 20 MB in size.
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