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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.

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.

Press Release September 21, 2023

Beyond Petrochemicals Marks First Anniversary With Five Victories

Campaign partners celebrate their success in blocking the build out of five toxic petrochemical facilities

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

Document July 28, 2023

Rejection of Complaint – LDEQ Significant Impact Levels violation of Title VI

The Environmental Protection Agency declines to investigate civil rights environmental discrimination claims involving the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) and the use of Signification Impact Levels (SILs) as exemplified in LDEQ’s extension of Formosa Plastic’s major source air permits’ deadlines to commence construction and the granting of the Commonwealth LNG major source air permits.

A controlled burn of oil from the BP oil spill sends towers of fire hundreds of feet into the air over the Gulf of Mexico on June 9, 2010. More than 200 million gallons of oil polluted the Gulf of Mexico during the 201 BP Deepwater Horizon disaster. (PO1 James Masson / U.S. Coast Guard)
Press Release July 12, 2023

Gulf and Environmental Groups Call on Interior Department to End Routine Fast-Tracking of Offshore Oil Drilling Projects

Petition outlines how decades-old use of “categorical exclusion” allows companies to skip over risk assessments in oil and gas “sacrifice zone”