Omaha Residents Face Health Risks from Coal Plant Extension
Full Transcript
Omaha residents are facing potential health risks and environmental consequences as the Omaha Public Power District, or OPPD, is proposing to extend the life of the North Omaha coal plant. This resolution will be voted on by the OPPD board on December 18.
If passed, it would reverse OPPD's previous commitments to retire the coal plant, which have been in place since 2014. OPPD management recently presented this resolution to the board. In response, the Sierra Club's Nebraska Chapter is urging OPPD to stick to its commitments and either retire or refuel the coal plant to reduce pollution that significantly impacts the North Omaha community.
Studies have shown that coal is an expensive energy source and has been linked to serious health risks, according to organizations such as the American Lung Association, the American Heart Association, and the American Public Health Association.
Dr. David Corbin, a retired public health professor and Chapter Energy Chair of the Sierra Club, stated that consulting an engineering firm like the Electric Power Research Institute for health data is inappropriate, similar to seeking medical treatment from an engineer.
Ken Winston, the Sierra Club Nebraska Chapter Director, emphasized that retiring the North Omaha coal plant is crucial for the health of the community, which is currently exposed to over 1.6 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.
To meet OPPD's peak demand, there are viable clean energy alternatives available, including energy consumption reduction programs, incentives for distributed generation, and investments in battery storage.
Winston stressed the importance of OPPD honoring its commitments to regain the trust of the community. The Sierra Club, recognized as America's largest grassroots environmental organization, advocates for clean energy, community health, wildlife protection, and the preservation of natural spaces.
The growing concern in Omaha highlights the broader challenges faced in the transition to cleaner energy sources and the local implications that energy policy decisions hold for public health and environmental sustainability.