July 1st, 2022: Yesterday, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled against the EPA in West Virginia vs. EPA, limiting the EPA’s ability to enforce laws that prevent power plants from releasing excessive greenhouse gasses.

In response, Anne Rolfes, the Executive Director of Louisiana Bucket Brigade, released the following statement:

“This ruling is a preliminary attack on our health and our environment. The relentless pollution that will result risks causing even more flooding and storms, threatening the possibility of continuing to live in South Louisiana.

In Louisiana, we have seen that Entergy, as well as the oil, gas, and petrochemical companies will do whatever makes their shareholders more profit, even if it means sacrificing our people. Entergy’s expansion in New Orleans East is an example of how these industries target communities of color for expansion and relentless pollution.

The problem with the Supreme Court ruling is that it strips the EPA of some of its power to protect us. Without the ability to enforce the laws that protect our communities, Louisiana and its people will continue to be a sacrificial zone for industry’s profit. To prevent catastrophic flooding and the destruction of our communities, the federal government and the state of Louisiana need more tools – not fewer – to keep our communities healthy and safe in the face of industry’s greed. 

While this ruling is narrow in its scope, it does have the potential to make our jobs harder. But that only makes it even more urgent and important that we halt industrial expansion, including construction of more liquid natural gas terminals, and invest in renewable energy instead.”

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