Coal-fired energy company gives campaign cash to Blunt, McCaskill

President Barack Obama’s announcement that he’ll order a 30 percent reduction of carbon dioxide emissions from 2005 to 2030 has prompted outrage and anger from supporters of coal-fired energy.

“I Will Fight The President Every Step Of The Way To Stop This Unprecedented Power Grab,” Sen. Roy Blunt’s press release said Monday.

Indeed, Missouri provide an interesting test case in how effective the new rules might be — and why politics will be a part of the equation.

One of the dirtiest power plants in the United States is the Labadie plant in Labadie, Mo., owned by Ameren. A 2013 study by Environment America said the plant is the fourth dirtiest in the United States (click on .pdf), pouring as much carbon dioxide into the air as 3.9 million cars.

Labadie provides 2,407 MW of coal-fired power, the biggest power plant in the Ameren system in Missouri. By contrast, the Calloway plant provides 1,190 MW, according to a company fact sheet.

Ameren is a top contributor to Blunt’s campaigns. People associated with the company have contributed more than $100,000 to Blunt, according the Center for Responsive Politics, good for 8th on the list of Blunt donors.

But Ameren gives to Sen. Claire McCaskill, too. She’s taken more than $56,000 from Ameren interests over her career, the CRP says.

Other power plants in the study of the 100 dirtiest power plants:

12. Jeffrey Energy Center, St. Marys KS, Westar

64. Iatan power plant, Iatan MO, KCP&L

68. Thomas Hill power plant, Clifton Hill MO , Associated Electric Co-op

69. La Cygne station, La Cygne KS, KCP&L

77. Rush Island plant, Jefferson County MO, Ameren

93. New Madrid plant, New Madrid MO, Associated Electric Co-op

This story was originally published December 31, 1840 at 2:09 PM with the headline "Coal-fired energy company gives campaign cash to Blunt, McCaskill."