Mississippi Residents Sue UK-Owned Biomass Firm Over Emissions Permit
Residents of Gloster, Mississippi have launched a lawsuit against Drax Biomass, the UK-based company behind a wood pellet production plant that was recently granted permission to increase emissions in the predominantly Black and low-income town. The permit allows the facility to emit hazardous air pollutants at levels exceeding those allowed by state law.
The decision comes after local residents reported suffering from health problems such as headaches and respiratory issues due to the plant's operation, which has been in place for over a decade. Drax Biomass supplies wood pellets to its massive power station in Selby, North Yorkshire, England, where it receives billions of pounds in UK renewable energy subsidies.
Critics claim that the wood used by Drax is not sustainably sourced, and the company was previously fined £25m ($33m) for supplying inaccurate data on biomass sourcing. The Financial Conduct Authority has also launched an investigation into the firm.
The lawsuit alleges that Drax's facility has exposed locals to excessive chemicals and pollutants, contaminating homes and putting residents at risk of diseases such as cancer and respiratory illness. Attorneys say the case aims to hold the company accountable for poisoning a small community.
"I've been living here my whole life," said Jimmy Brown, who lives less than a mile from the plant. "You got dust falling all night... It's nonstop."
Environmental advocates have long criticized the UK government's funding of Drax through renewable energy subsidies, accusing it of perpetuating "environmental racism." A recent letter to Mississippi's governor and environmental quality board expressed concern over the impact on residents and urged steps to ensure clean air.
The permit decision has sparked outrage among local residents, who claim that any plans for increased emissions could worsen health issues linked to pollutants. The outcome is a worrying sign for communities struggling with environmental degradation and corporate accountability.
Residents of Gloster, Mississippi have launched a lawsuit against Drax Biomass, the UK-based company behind a wood pellet production plant that was recently granted permission to increase emissions in the predominantly Black and low-income town. The permit allows the facility to emit hazardous air pollutants at levels exceeding those allowed by state law.
The decision comes after local residents reported suffering from health problems such as headaches and respiratory issues due to the plant's operation, which has been in place for over a decade. Drax Biomass supplies wood pellets to its massive power station in Selby, North Yorkshire, England, where it receives billions of pounds in UK renewable energy subsidies.
Critics claim that the wood used by Drax is not sustainably sourced, and the company was previously fined £25m ($33m) for supplying inaccurate data on biomass sourcing. The Financial Conduct Authority has also launched an investigation into the firm.
The lawsuit alleges that Drax's facility has exposed locals to excessive chemicals and pollutants, contaminating homes and putting residents at risk of diseases such as cancer and respiratory illness. Attorneys say the case aims to hold the company accountable for poisoning a small community.
"I've been living here my whole life," said Jimmy Brown, who lives less than a mile from the plant. "You got dust falling all night... It's nonstop."
Environmental advocates have long criticized the UK government's funding of Drax through renewable energy subsidies, accusing it of perpetuating "environmental racism." A recent letter to Mississippi's governor and environmental quality board expressed concern over the impact on residents and urged steps to ensure clean air.
The permit decision has sparked outrage among local residents, who claim that any plans for increased emissions could worsen health issues linked to pollutants. The outcome is a worrying sign for communities struggling with environmental degradation and corporate accountability.
I'm so frustrated about this news 
! As someone who's all about layout and structure (you know, the importance of clear headings and concise paragraphs 
), it feels like a big mess to me when companies like Drax Biomass get away with polluting entire communities. The fact that they're even granted permission to increase emissions is just mind-boggling 
.
The government should be all over this to make sure these kinds of situations don't happen again. It's a big deal for communities that already have health issues due to pollution.
UK's biomass firm Drax gets bad rep all over again 
... how many people gotta suffer before they take action? 
they're basically saying it's okay to kill the community in Gloster, MS, as long as it benefits some big corporation's bottom line? 
I mean, what about environmental justice? Shouldn't we be protecting the most vulnerable communities from corporate greed? 
. The fact that they got a permit 2 increase emissions is, like, SO WRONG 
. They gotta hold these corporations accountable 4 the harm dey cause to ppl's lives 
. It's not just environmental racism, it's straight-up corporate greed 
. We need more ppl like Jimmy Brown who ain't afraid 2 speak truth 2 power 
. This case is gonna set a precedent & hopefully change the way we approach environmental issues 
.
and meanwhile, ppl r dyin over here from respiratory issues and cancer cuz of toxic air. this lawsuit better win ASAP so that ppl can get some justice 
its like a total fail on their part. the fact that they got fined before and still did it again is even more whack 
this case better win so Drax can stop poisoning ppl for profit