Mississippi residents sue UK-owned biomass firm granted permit for more emissions

Mississippi Town Sues Biomass Firm Over Toxic Emissions Permit

A small Mississippi town is taking a UK-owned biomass firm to court after it was granted a permit to increase emissions at its wood pellet production plant. The Amite county facility, owned by Drax Biomass, has been cited for numerous environmental violations in the past, including releasing over 50% more pollutants than allowed.

Residents of Gloster have long complained about the health impacts of the plant's operations, citing symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, and respiratory problems. They say that increased emissions could exacerbate existing conditions like asthma and heart disease.

The community is suing Drax Biomass, alleging that the company has unlawfully exposed residents to excessive levels of chemicals and pollutants. The lawsuit claims that these emissions have not only harmed individuals but also contaminated homes and posed a risk to public health.

"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. "We will continue to fight for justice and ensure that our air is clean and safe."

The permit decision was made despite previous standards violations, including a $250,000 fine for releasing excessive pollutants last year. In 2020, Drax Biomass was fined $2.5 million for underestimating volatile organic compound outputs.

Drax's statement on the permit granted acknowledged that its technical staff and community leaders had provided recommendations, but the company could not comment further due to ongoing legal matters.

Meanwhile, environmental advocacy groups have expressed concern over the impact of Drax's manufacturing on Gloster's residents. A letter to Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves and the MDEQ permit board highlighted the urgent need for measures to ensure safe air quality in the community.

The case highlights the contentious issue of renewable energy subsidies for biomass production, which has been criticized by green groups and climate scientists as unsustainable due to the sourcing of wood used to manufacture pellets.

OMG, this is so messed up ! I cant even imagine living near a plant that's known for releasing toxic emissions and still getting a permit to increase them? It's like they're prioritizing profits over people's lives . The fact that the company has been fined multiple times before and still gets a green light is just insane . As a parent, I would want my kids to breathe clean air, not toxic pollutants 24/7! What's next? Are they gonna let them upgrade their emissions again in 5 years? It's like they're playing a game of whack-a-mole with the environment . We need stricter regulations and more accountability for companies that don't care about our health and well-being .

This is getting outta hand . Can't we just get clean air for once?

Biomass firms raking in billions while our communities suffer . When's it gonna be about people, not profits?

Ugh this is so unfair , I mean I get it folks need jobs but can't we find a way to do that without basically poisoning our own towns? The stats are crazy 50% more emissions than allowed and they're still getting off scot free. It's like they're playing a game of whack-a-mole with the environment . I'm all for renewable energy but we gotta make sure it's not at the expense of our health.

Ugh, can't believe this is happening again . Another company trying to get away with harming a small town just to line their pockets with cash. Drax Biomass should be held accountable for the harm they've already caused and shouldn't be getting a permit to increase emissions even more. It's like, if you can't take care of your own facility, how can we trust you're going to clean up our air? The residents of Gloster have been complaining about this stuff for years and it's amazing that they're finally taking action. I hope the lawsuit is successful and Drax gets the justice they deserve

I was thinking about this same thing last year when I read an article about the environmental impact of biomass production... Anyway, what's frustrating here is that Drax Biomass already had a history of violating emissions standards and they're still getting away with it? It's like they think they can just bribe their way out of trouble or something. I mean, 50% more pollutants than allowed? That's a big deal! And now the town is fighting back because they feel Drax has been poisoning them for years. I'm all for renewable energy and sustainability, but this whole biomass thing needs to be reevaluated ASAP. We can't just keep ignoring the consequences of our actions...

Ugh I'm so done with these massive corporations not taking responsibility for their messes! Drax Biomass is literally poisoning an entire town and they're worried about "ongoing legal matters" instead of fixing their pollution problems? It's like, hello, people's lives are at risk here! 50% more pollutants than allowed? That's a recipe for disaster. They need to be held accountable and make some serious changes to their operations ASAP

I mean, can you believe this? Drax Biomass, a UK-owned firm, is basically poisoning an entire town in Mississippi with their toxic emissions! It's like, I get it, they're trying to make biofuels and all that, but do they really need to sacrifice the health of an entire community for the sake of profit? The residents are already suffering from respiratory problems and asthma, can you imagine if this gets worse?! And the company is just sitting there like "oh, we're not doing anything wrong" while their emissions go through the roof! It's like, come on, guys, take responsibility for your actions!

And what really gets my goat is that they got a permit despite all these environmental violations. Like, are they kidding me? The fine they got last year was like $250k, and this year it's just a slap on the wrist! And now the governor's office is getting letters from advocacy groups saying "hey, fix this ASAP" but I'm not holding my breath.

This whole thing just highlights how messed up our system is when it comes to renewable energy. We're all about saving the planet, but what about the people who live in the communities where these industries set up shop? Do they even matter?! It's like, we need some real change here, not just a bunch of empty promises and subsidies for corporations.

Anyway, I'm definitely keeping an eye on this one. Who knows how it'll all play out?

I'm so frustrated with this news ! It's crazy that a UK-owned biomass firm gets away with increasing emissions in a community already dealing with health issues. I mean, isn't it common sense that you can't just ignore past environmental violations and fine the company? The fact that they're now trying to poison even more people by releasing more pollutants is just appalling .

And what really gets me is that this is happening while we're supposedly trying to reduce our carbon footprint and transition to renewable energy. Biomass production, which relies on wood pellets made from ancient forests, is a major contributor to deforestation and climate change . I think it's time for us to reevaluate the sustainability of these subsidies and make sure that green initiatives aren't just a PR stunt.

It's great that the community is fighting back with this lawsuit, but we need more systemic changes to hold companies like Drax accountable for their actions . It's not just about individual rights; it's about protecting our planet for future generations .

I'm telling you, it's like they're playing with fire here Drax Biomass is getting a slap on the wrist despite their history of environmental disasters and now they get to increase emissions? It's just not right . The people of Gloster are suffering from real health issues because of this plant and now we're supposed to just sit back and take it? No way . The whole renewable energy thing is a joke if you ask me. We need to hold these big corporations accountable for their actions, especially when it comes to our air quality . This case should be all over the news and we need more people to stand up for Gloster's residents .