Members of RISE St. James and their supporters continue to rally in opposition to the presence of more petrochemical plants in St. James Parish’s historic African American community. At a March 25 public hearing, the St. James Parish Planning Commission voted unanimously to postpone approval of the Chinese Wanhua Industrial Group’s proposed facility after residents and environmental advocates highlighted the ongoing health problems in the district and the firm’s failure to disclose all emissions that will seep from the plant. On a 6-1 vote, the commission did approve construction of the Syngas methanol facility in the 5th District.

“They are having explosions in China at industrial facilities there. Is that what we want for St. James?” said Barbara Washington of St. James’ 4th district, presenting information on the lax regulatory environment and safety hazards in China. “I have already lost people to cancer, including my sister.” Ms. Washington’s home is near the proposed site. Supporters of the project were businessmen and two women who live in towns far from the facility.

At issue in the Wanhua vote was the firm’s failure to disclose all of the chemicals it was releasing.

“There are chemicals listed in Wanhua’s air permit application to DEQ that are missing from the Wanhua parish permit application,” said Kimberly Terrell, director of community outreach for the Tulane Environmental Law Clinic, referring to discrepancies between the chemical giant’s application with the state Department of Environmental Quality and what was submitted to parish-level officials to win approval for the plastics facility.

Chemical emissions from Wanhua would include more than 70 tons of nitrogen oxides for each year the plant is in operation and upwards of 15 tons of chlorobenzene on an annual basis as well. Each chemical has been demonstrated by the EPA to cause harmful health effects in humans, including damage to vital organs, respiratory systems and cognitive abilities.

“I am asking you to stop the genocide,” said Sharon Lavigne, leader of RISE St. James, in her testimony to the planning commission regarding the construction of the Syngas methanol facility near her home. “We plan to oppose all new plants that threaten our health and safety. Residents of St. James are dying from respiratory failure.”

Members of the planning commission, led by District 2 member Dean Millet, expressed concern over the lack of transparency demonstrated by officials backing the new facility and voted unanimously to postpone consideration of the new plant until a full accounting of all emissions were submitted to authorities responsible for local permit approval. Mr. Millet also opposed construction of the Syngas facility.

The planning commission vote comes a week before the start of the March Along Death Valley, an event organized to highlight the ongoing sickness and death, as well as the disproportionate impact on African Americans. “Six white men voted again to concentrate industry in the African American community,” said Anne Rolfes of the Louisiana Bucket Brigade in reference to the Syngas vote. “This is an obvious civil rights violation.”

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RISE St. James is an all-volunteer, community-led organization fighting for the removal of harmful petrochemicals in the land, air, water and bodies, of the people, of St. James Parish.

Louisiana Bucket Brigade uses grassroots action to support communities impacted by the petrochemical industry and hasten the transition from fossil fuels.