Activists encourage Louisiana to reject 2,400-acre plastics plant permits

Environmental advocates are urging Louisiana to reject air permits for a planned 2,400-acre plastics facility, citing new federal air quality standards and concerns about toxic pollution. EarthJustice and six environmental organizations contend that the Formosa Plastics project in St. James Parish would violate EPA guidelines for particulate matter, commonly known as "soot" and dust.

In a letter to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, EarthJustice argues against renewing Formosa’s permit, emphasizing potential exacerbation of the region's already poor air quality. The area in question, referred to as “Cancer Alley” between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, suffers from significant industrial pollution.

Local residents and the U.S. EPA are also pressing for an investigation into mercury-laden dust from the Atalco Gramercy refinery. The proposed plastics plant threatens to further degrade air quality in an area already burdened by industrial pollution, heightening concerns about health disparities and elevated cancer rates in the region.