Thanks to the dedicated efforts of many groups and individuals in our area, we are seeing a number of actions and results which are positive in terms of impact on the environment in South Louisiana. This isn’t random happenstance — the commonalities behind these wins are: on-the-ground organizing, solid education of the public, and use of effective lawyers. (This list is ordered roughly by date.)
1. Voters reject all four state constitutional amendments on the March 29 ballot.
2. Greenfield loses appeal to rezone to industrial for its grain facility in Wallace.
3. Vickie Boothe and Barbara Kaplinsky educate the organization 10,000 Women Louisiana regarding toxic chemical releases and the subsequent lack of correct public information from officials.
4. Appeals Court (U.S. Fifth Circuit) supports proceeding with lawsuit stopping expansion of fossil fuel plants in minority districts in St. James Parish.
5. Edgar Cage, Vickie Boothe, General Russel Honoré, Pastor Gregory Manning, and Barbara Kaplinsky lead a Together Louisiana (TLA) Rapid Response presentation, “Toxic Accidents and Public Misinformation”, educating leaders of TLA, Together New Orleans (TNO), and Together Baton Rouge (TBR)
6. Alliance for Affordable Energy (AAE) and Energy Future New Orleans Coalition (EFNO) jointly host two very successful “Light is Your Right” events.
7. Chevron is ordered to pay $740 million for wetlands damage in Plaquemines Parish.
8. Air Products is terminating its CCS initiatives in Ascension Parish, planning to sell off that portion of its business.
9. Koch Methanol expansion is stopped by Appeals Court since St. James Parish did not properly review impact.
10. Denka plant in St. John the Baptist Parish has indefinitely suspended all production after many years of struggle.
11. Venture Global’s Calcasieu Pass LNG Export Terminal: Even as the federal government gave approval, with commercial operations starting in mid-April, Chubb Insurance is no longer issuing its property insurance policy for this project. The cessation of Chubb’s policy comes after fisherfolk and their allies launched a targeted campaign on Chubb’s CEO and Board, decrying the devastating impact methane terminals cause to their livelihoods and health in Cameron, Louisiana.
Thanks to members of GNOICC’s Research, Education, and Policy (REAP) Team for compiling this list.
