Legal Challenge Against Biomass Plant Emissions
Residents of Mississippi have filed a lawsuit against Drax Biomass after state regulators granted the company permission to become a “major source” of hazardous air pollution, according to reports. The legal action comes from the 900-person town of Gloster, where community members allege they’ve suffered serious health consequences from the facility’s operations.
The lawsuit, filed by Singleton Schreiber law firm, claims the Amite county wood pellet production facility has “unlawfully exposed locals to excessive levels of chemicals and pollutants,” sources indicate. The plant, which shares a fence line with the residential community, converts trees from southern US states into wooden pellets that are shipped to Drax’s power station in North Yorkshire, England.
Regulatory Reversal Sparks Community Outcry
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality permit board reversed its April decision this week, granting Drax’s request despite previous denials. This regulatory approval came despite the facility’s history of environmental violations, including a $250,000 fine last year for releasing over 50% more harmful pollutants than permitted and a $2.5 million penalty in 2020 for underestimating volatile organic compound outputs.
According to the legal complaint detailed in court documents, pollutants from the facility have coated residents’ homes and increased their risk of diseases including cancer and respiratory illness. “This case is about holding a multibillion-dollar foreign corporation accountable for poisoning a small Mississippi community,” said Letitia Johnson, an attorney representing the plaintiffs.
Community Health Impacts and Environmental Justice Concerns
Residents of the predominantly Black, low-income community report experiencing dizziness, headaches, and other health issues since the facility opened a decade ago. Community members expressed concern that increased emissions would worsen respiratory illnesses, heart disease, and other health conditions linked to air pollution.
As previous reporting indicated, residents like Jimmy Brown who lives less than a mile from the plant describe constant environmental impacts. “You got dust falling all night,” Brown stated. “You got constant noise from the plant. You got odor. You got truck traffic all day, every day.”
UK Subsidies and Sustainability Questions
Drax is expected to receive more than £10 billion in UK renewable energy subsidies between 2012 and 2027 for its biomass generation, according to analysis by the thinktank Ember. This substantial subsidy support continues despite ongoing criticism from environmental groups and climate scientists who question the sustainability of the wood sourcing practices.
The company previously faced a £25 million fine from UK energy regulators for supplying inaccurate data related to its biomass sourcing. The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority is currently investigating the company, and British lawmakers have been reviewing the renewable energy subsidies awarded to the North Yorkshire facility.
Growing Opposition and Community Impact
In a recent development highlighted by 85 advocacy organizations, concerns about the plant’s impact on Gloster residents prompted a letter to Mississippi’s governor and the MDEQ permit board. The organizations described a “community in crisis” where “young children with asthma are unable to play outside” and “elderly residents rely on costly breathing treatments.”
The letter further noted that “those who can afford to leave are doing so, while those who remain are left to suffer worsening health,” raising questions about environmental justice in the context of industry developments and community impacts.
Company Response and Ongoing Controversy
Following the permit approval, a Drax spokesperson stated the company was “pleased that the permit board has listened to the clear recommendations of its own technical staff, and the voices of Gloster community leaders, local businesses and a large number of our neighbors in Gloster.”
In response to the lawsuit, Drax Biomass said it was aware of the legal action and, while unable to comment on ongoing matters, would “strive to be a good neighbour in our communities and to support their wellbeing and prosperity.” The case continues amid broader discussions about related innovations in environmental monitoring and the intersection of market trends in renewable energy.
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