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A map of gas-fired turbines and LNG terminals in the United States. (Jane Williams / Sierra Club)
Press Release April 15, 2024

EPA Denies Industry Petition to Deregulate Air Toxics-Emitting Combustion Turbines

The EPA’s denial directly addresses environmental and health concerns regarding the impacts turbines’ emissions have on people

John Beard, Jr., stands a block away from where he grew up in Port Arthur, TX, where a petrochemical facility is located adjacent to a playground. Port Arthur is one of the most polluted communities in the country. (Chris Jordan-Bloch / Earthjustice)
feature April 8, 2024

“In the Belly of the Beast”: A Conversation with Port Arthur Community Action Network’s John Beard, Jr.

A lifelong Port Arthur resident takes the fight for clean air and water directly to polluting industries.

 Sheila Tahir, the bike ride manager with the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, demonstrates how the organization collects air samples for testing during a bicycle tour in Norco, Louisiana on March 16, 2022. (Brad Zweerink / Earthjustice)
Article March 29, 2024

How Gulf of Mexico Residents Are Pushing Back on the Oil and Gas Industry

Locals aren’t letting dirty industry expand in the Gulf without a fight.

The Shell Norco Manufacturing Complex, an oil refinery, is located in Norco, La., 10 miles upriver from New Orleans. (Gerald Herbert / AP)
Press Release March 21, 2024

EPA Closes Emissions Loopholes Abused by Refineries and Chemical Plants

The rule removes loopholes companies used to avoid reporting harmful toxic emissions during force majeure events

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.

Clean Air Laredo Coalition and Rio Grande International Study Center rally in front of Midwest Sterilizer facility in Laredo, TX. The facility ranks among the most polluting facilities in the nation of ethylene oxide emissions. (RGISC)
Update March 14, 2024

Industry Is Trying to Weaken Regulations on Cancer-Causing Emissions

The EPA has finalized stronger rules on the cancer-causing emission ethylene oxide.

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.

Black plume rises over East Palestine, Ohio, as a result of a controlled detonation of a portion of the derailed Norfolk Southern train, Feb. 6, 2023. If the fossil fuel industry gets its way, many more trains will pass through the region soon, adding to a slew of environmental threats posed by the industry’s plans for the Ohio River Valley.  (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
Article February 2, 2024

Putting a Lid on Plastics Production in the Ohio River Valley

Residents are challenging industry’s petrochemicals push into the region, and Earthjustice’s legal strategy has helped them notch an early win.

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.”

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

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.

In Louisiana's 'Cancer Alley, a cemetery stands in stark contrast to the chemical plants that surround it.
(Photo by Julie Dermansky)
feature January 23, 2024

How Big Oil is Using Toxic Chemicals as a Lifeline – and How We Can Stop It

Petrochemicals are an environmental and public health disaster. What you need to know.

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

document December 13, 2023

Formosa Docket for December 2023 Appeal Hearing

Docket of the Court of Appeal, First Circuit

document November 7, 2023

Formosa Docket for November 2023 Appeal Hearing

Docket of the Court of Appeal, First Circuit (3-judge panel)

document October 30, 2023

Amici Response Brief on Formosa Plastics Air Permit Case

Reply brief in response to four motions for leave to file amicus curiae briefs by the Louisiana Chemical Association, Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, American Chemistry Council, and Greater Baton Rouge Industry Alliance.