Air Pollution
Coal Plant Delays Raise Concerns In Omaha’s Redlined Areas
OMAHA, NEBRASKA - Residents of Omaha’s redlined neighborhoods continue to experience a large portion of the city’s air pollution, as the Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) recently announced it will continue to burn coal at the North Omaha Station until 2026. Environmental advocates and community leaders are raising alarms over the prolonged usage of coal, citing the harmful environmental and health impacts for Omaha and its redlined districts.
“The largest single source polluter in Omaha is by far the North Omaha coal plant, units 4 and 5,” said David Corbin, Energy Committee Chair for the Nebraska Sierra Club. According to
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), coal plants are a significant source of particulate matter pollution, which is linked to respiratory illnesses and other health drawbacks.
Transportation is also a major source of pollution in Omaha. Corbin says, “Omaha is very car centric, so transportation is
not doing very well in reducing pollution…” While initiatives like expanded public transit and Heartland Bike Share offer some alternatives, they don’t compete with the city’s heavy reliance on vehicles.
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Coal Transition Delayed
OPPD originally planned to retire coal at the North omaha Station by the end of 2023, but regulatory delays have pushed the transition to 2026. Jodi Baker, Media Specialist for OPPD, explained that delays in bringing two new natural gas plants online—Turtle Creek Station and Standing Bear Lake Station—needed an extension.
“Around 2026, we are planning to transition the other three units to more modernized natural gas and retire the two units previously converted to gas in 2016,” Baker said. “This delta does not change our commitment to achieve net zero carbon by 2050.”
Despite these improvements, many argue that natural gas is not a long-term solution. Baker acknowledged the negative impacts of coal burning, stating, “Climate change causes a continuing adjustment in precipitation, air quality, rising temperatures, and extreme weather events. These negative effects are a driving force in our conversion.”
Health Disparities in North Omaha
The health impacts of air pollution are evident in Omaha’s redlined neighborhoods, where residents face higher rates of asthma and other respiratory issues. Data from the Nebraska Asthma Coalition shows that Black Nebraskans have a significantly higher asthma death rate than their White counterparts.
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“The most common [health impact] is asthma,” Corbin said, referencing disparities in death rates. Local advocacy groups have stepped in to monitor air quality more closely. “When OPPD decided to continue burning coal, various groups, including the Sierra Club, purchased air monitors and placed them around North Omaha,” Corbin explained.
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Arianna Hill, an Omaha resident, also emphasized the importance of location when it comes to air quality. "Yes. I definitely think that your location in Omaha determines the air quality. The closer you are to factories or plants, I think the air is more polluted.”
Research shows that North Omaha’s air quality frequently falls into unhealthy ranges due to high levels of fine particles in the air. These particles, small enough to be inhaled deeply into the lungs, are known to trigger or worsen health issues like asthma, especially in children and older adults.
Steps Toward Cleaner Air
While Omaha has made progress in reducing air pollution, significant challenges remain. OPPD’s earlier conversion of three coal units to natural gas helped lower emissions, but units 4 and 5 continue to operate. Additionally, Omaha’s heavy dependence on cars highlights the need for expanded public transportation and infrastructure for residents.
Public awareness is another barrier. “I don’t think air pollution is on most people’s minds unless Omaha is affected by smoke from fires in other states or Canada,” Corbin said.
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Hill also pointed out the need for consistency in air quality enforcement. “I think they just need some consistency in whatever they do. By that, I mean that whatever rules they enforce regarding the air quality in one area, should be enforced in other areas. There should also be specific consequences of affirmative action for those that don’t comply with the new rules.”
Looking Ahead
As OPPD moves forward with plans to retire coal at the North Omaha Station, there are still lingering concerns about whether the progress is proceeding fast enough. Advocates are urging the utility to prioritize wind and solar energy to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels entirely.
“Although carbon dioxide occurs naturally in the Earth’s atmosphere, human activities over the last century have significantly increased levels of greenhouse gases,” Baker said. She emphasized that OPPD’s shift to natural gas is just one part of a broader strategy to reduce emissions.
With coal set to burn for two more years, the path to cleaner air and healthier communities in Omaha remains a work in progress.​
