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Sharon Lavigne of RISE St. James is an Earthjustice client and partner in a case against the “Sunshine Project” — a plant proposed by the Formosa Petrochemical Corporation. (Alejandro Dávila Fragoso / Earthjustice)
Press Release March 18, 2024

Louisiana Groups Push for State Supreme Court to Review Formosa Plastics’ Air Permits Case

LDEQ air permits would exacerbate environmental racism and harm the health of St. James’ predominantly Black residents

document March 18, 2024

RISE St. James Application to Louisiana Supreme Court

Community and environmental groups filed an application asking the Louisiana Supreme Court to grant review and overturn legal errors in an appeals court decision that upheld the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality’s decision to issue air permits for Formosa Plastics’ massive petrochemical complex in St. James Parish.

In the News: Louisiana Record February 21, 2024

Louisiana environmental groups sue over EPA decision giving state agency authority over carbon-capture projects

James Yskamp, Attorney, Fossil Fuels Program: “All three of those groups alleged that Louisiana doesn’t have the expertise and resources to implement the program.”

Sharon Lavigne of RISE St. James is an Earthjustice client and partner in a case against the “Sunshine Project” — a plant proposed by the Formosa Petrochemical Corporation. (Alejandro Dávila Fragoso / Earthjustice)
Press Release January 19, 2024

Louisiana Court Ruling Reverses Lower Court Decision and Upholds Air Permits for Formosa Plastics’ Massive Petrochemical Complex in Cancer Alley

Massive proposed petrochemical complex would exacerbate toxic pollution in predominantly Black communities

The Donaldsonville Primary School in Ascension Parish, Louisiana, sits directly next to the CF Industries plant. (Bryan Tarnowski for Earthjustice)
Press Release December 29, 2023

Earthjustice Responds to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Decision to Hand Over Permitting Authority to Louisiana for Carbon Dioxide Injection Wells

A massive buildout of CCS projects in Louisiana threatens to extend the life of fossil fuels and perpetuate the harms of pollution in overburdened communities.

Map of smog air pollution by county in 2022. (Air Quality System Data / U.S. EPA)
feature November 29, 2023

What’s the state of smog pollution where you live?

Search by county to see the level of smog pollution in the air. Smog can trigger asthma attacks and increase the risk of heart and lung diseases.

Map of soot air pollution by county in 2022. (Air Quality System Data / U.S. EPA)
feature November 29, 2023

What’s the state of soot pollution where you live?

Search by county to see the level of soot pollution in the air. Soot causes death and serious health harms.

Press Release July 28, 2023

EPA Declines to Investigate Civil Rights Environmental Discrimination Claims in Louisiana

Communities polluted by industry are seeking justice and relief from ongoing state permitting decisions that allow increased pollution in areas where air quality already fails to meet legal and public health-based standards

A chemical fire burns at a facility during the aftermath of Hurricane Laura Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020, near Lake Charles, LA.
(David J. Phillip)
Press Release May 30, 2023

Gulf Groups File Petition To Correct Louisiana and Texas’ Violation Of Air Pollution Permitting Standards

States are unlawfully allowing more air pollution in already overburdened communities, violating federal public health standards and creating “sacrifice zones”

Welcome Park, next to the site of a proposed South Louisiana Methanol facility in St. James Parish.
(Brad Zweerink / Earthjustice)
Press Release: Victory September 9, 2022

Louisiana Residents Celebrate Stopping South Louisiana Methanol’s Petrochemical Complex

Community declares victory against what would have been the largest methanol production facility in North America

In the News: The Guardian January 23, 2024

Louisiana court upholds air permits for petrochemical complex in Cancer Alley

Michael Brown, Attorney, Fossil Fuels Program: “The Clean Air Act forbids any new source from tipping the area into a violation or contributing to a violation.”

Press Release September 22, 2023

Environmental Groups Appeal Western District of Louisiana Order to Remove Protections for Endangered Whale from Gulf Lease Sale

Emergency order seeks to reinstate protections before upcoming, massive offshore oil and gas sale

Donaldsonville Primary School is located next to the CF Industries ammonia plant in Donaldsonville, Louisiana. CF Industries is planning a $200 million carbon capture operation at the facility.  (Bryan Tarnowski for Earthjustice)
Article February 14, 2024

Carbon Capture Is Giving a Second Life to Fossil Fuels – But It Doesn’t Have To

As carbon capture booms, communities in Louisiana are worried it will prolong the use of dirty fossil fuel plants.

Shell Convent refinery in St. James Parish, Louisiana. (Alejandro Dávila Fragoso / Earthjustice)
Press Release June 26, 2020

Statements: Intimidation Tactics in Louisiana Won’t Silence Opposition to Formosa Plastics

40+ advocacy groups express outrage over arrests of Louisiana Bucket Brigade leaders, vow to stop Formosa’s plans to poison the Black community in St. James

Homes are adjacent to a Shell refinery in Norco, Louisiana. (Brad Zweerink / Earthjustice)
Press Release January 23, 2024

Federal Court Deals Major Blow to Environmental Civil Rights Enforcement

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana ruling restricts EPA and DOJ from protecting Louisiana communities from disparate environmental impacts

The Denka Performance Elastomer manufacturing plant in Reserve, Louisiana, photographed on March 18, 2022. (Brad Zweerink / Earthjustice)
Press Release June 27, 2023

EPA Closes Civil Rights Investigation in Louisiana, Abandons Effort to Address Longstanding Environmental Discrimination

The agency’s decision closes an investigation that could have brought justice to Black residents in St. John the Baptist Parish

Sharon Lavigne of RISE St. James is working to prevent Formosa Plastics from building a giant, 14-plant petrochemical facility in St. James Parish.
(Brad Zweerink / Earthjustice)
Press Release: Victory September 14, 2022

Louisiana Court Vacates Air Permits for Formosa’s Massive Petrochemical Complex in Cancer Alley

Decision is a major victory for RISE St. James, Louisiana Bucket Brigade, Healthy Gulf, No Waste Louisiana, Center for Biological Diversity, Earthworks, the Sierra Club, and others in a years-long fight

Sharon Lavigne, front, is fighting to keep a petrochemical plant out of her Louisiana community.
(Photo courtesy of Julie Dermansky)
feature January 23, 2024

Cancer Alley Rises Up

An overburdened community unites against Big Oil’s next big play.