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Mississippi Residents File Lawsuit Against UK-Owned Biomass Firm Over Toxic Emissions
A small Mississippi town has taken Drax Biomass, a subsidiary of the FTSE 250 energy company, to court over its latest permit approval, which allows the company to increase emissions and put more residents at risk of serious health problems. The lawsuit claims that the wood pellet production facility's air pollution has already caused significant harm to the community, with many residents experiencing respiratory issues, headaches, and other adverse health effects.
The permit was granted despite previous standards violations, including releasing 50% more pollutants than allowed and underestimating toxic compounds. In fact, Drax Biomass had previously been fined $250,000 for violating air quality regulations and $2.5 million for failing to accurately report its emissions. However, the company received a new permit allowing it to increase its emissions, sparking outrage among local residents who are concerned about the potential health risks.
Gloster, where the plant is located, has a predominantly Black and low-income population that has already suffered from the facility's operations. Residents have reported feeling dizzy, getting headaches, and experiencing unwellness since the plant opened a decade ago. They fear that increased emissions will exacerbate respiratory illnesses, heart disease, and other health issues linked to air pollution.
The lawsuit alleges that Drax Biomass has failed to meet its obligations under environmental regulations, putting the community's health at risk. "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.
Environmental groups and lawmakers have long criticized Drax's biomass operations, citing concerns over the sustainability of its wood sourcing practices. The company has been accused of using non-renewable resources that contribute to climate change, despite receiving billions in UK renewable energy subsidies between 2012 and 2027.
As one resident noted, "You got dust falling all night... You got constant noise from the plant. You got odor... That's what a lot of people don't understand. It's nonstop." The approval of Drax's permit has reignited concerns about environmental racism and the impact of corporate subsidies on vulnerable communities.
In response to the lawsuit, Drax Biomass said it was "pleased that the [permit board] has listened to the clear recommendations of its own technical staff" but declined to comment further. The company stated that it would "strive to be a good neighbor in our communities and support their wellbeing and prosperity." However, many are skeptical about the company's intentions given its history of environmental violations and disregard for community concerns.
A small Mississippi town has taken Drax Biomass, a subsidiary of the FTSE 250 energy company, to court over its latest permit approval, which allows the company to increase emissions and put more residents at risk of serious health problems. The lawsuit claims that the wood pellet production facility's air pollution has already caused significant harm to the community, with many residents experiencing respiratory issues, headaches, and other adverse health effects.
The permit was granted despite previous standards violations, including releasing 50% more pollutants than allowed and underestimating toxic compounds. In fact, Drax Biomass had previously been fined $250,000 for violating air quality regulations and $2.5 million for failing to accurately report its emissions. However, the company received a new permit allowing it to increase its emissions, sparking outrage among local residents who are concerned about the potential health risks.
Gloster, where the plant is located, has a predominantly Black and low-income population that has already suffered from the facility's operations. Residents have reported feeling dizzy, getting headaches, and experiencing unwellness since the plant opened a decade ago. They fear that increased emissions will exacerbate respiratory illnesses, heart disease, and other health issues linked to air pollution.
The lawsuit alleges that Drax Biomass has failed to meet its obligations under environmental regulations, putting the community's health at risk. "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.
Environmental groups and lawmakers have long criticized Drax's biomass operations, citing concerns over the sustainability of its wood sourcing practices. The company has been accused of using non-renewable resources that contribute to climate change, despite receiving billions in UK renewable energy subsidies between 2012 and 2027.
As one resident noted, "You got dust falling all night... You got constant noise from the plant. You got odor... That's what a lot of people don't understand. It's nonstop." The approval of Drax's permit has reignited concerns about environmental racism and the impact of corporate subsidies on vulnerable communities.
In response to the lawsuit, Drax Biomass said it was "pleased that the [permit board] has listened to the clear recommendations of its own technical staff" but declined to comment further. The company stated that it would "strive to be a good neighbor in our communities and support their wellbeing and prosperity." However, many are skeptical about the company's intentions given its history of environmental violations and disregard for community concerns.
. drax biomass should really be held accountable for putting an entire community at risk. how can you expect them to care about the wellbeing of a community when they've already been fined millions for violating air quality regulations? and it's not like this is the first time they've got away with it... all these corporate subsidies from the uk just enable companies to do whatever they want without consequences 
. the fact that gloster has such a predominantly black and low-income population makes this whole situation even more frustrating - environmental racism is real folks 
. what's next?
? some corp just gets slapped with a lawsuit after they've been clearly breaking rules and poisoning an entire town...like what even is "strive to be a good neighbor" when u're literally making people sick for profit 
drax biomass is like the poster child for corporate greed and environmental racism 
gotta feel for these ppl in Gloster, they're already dealing with some serious health issues from the plant & now they wanna increase emissions? 
that's just cruel 
and they think they can just keep making money off people's suffering? 
like, what's next? gonna give 'em a prize for being bad neighbors?
. And now they get a new permit to pollute even more? No way 
. And environmental racism is a real thing, folks... it's not just about the environment, it's about systemic inequality 
. We need to hold these corporations accountable & make sure they're paying their fair share for the harm they cause 
. It's crazy that they're still getting air pollution from Drax Biomass after all those fines and penalties. I mean, 50% more pollutants than allowed? That's just unacceptable. And the fact that they got a new permit despite all those issues raises so many questions. What's going on with these corporations and their priorities? It's like they're putting profits over people's lives. The community has already suffered for years and now they're saying "oh, we'll try to be good neighbors"? 
this is straight outta movie script, but sadly its real life 
and they say they're a good neighbor but its just a bunch of bull