04/07/2024
FROM SCHOOL ZONE TO KOCH ZONE:
RISE ST. JAMES RESIDENTS RESIST METHANOL PLANT TAKEOVER
On Monday, April 8th, the Louisiana 23rd Judicial District Court will deliberate on whether Koch Industries can expand its operations within the 5th District.
Legal documents
ST. JAMES PARISH, LOUISIANA - When assessing the values of local government, one needs only to look at the local school districts. Once a picturesque haven nestled along the river, St. James High School, home of the Wildcats, now stands as the local headquarters of Koch Methanol. The decision by the school board to sell this newly renovated institution symbolizes a regrettable waste and divestment of our once vibrant community. The 5th District of St. James has transitioned from a school zone to Koch Zone, and RISE St. James continues to resist the methanol plant takeover.
“Schools are meant to be the heartbeat of communities. As a former teacher, I am deeply saddened to witness pollution being prioritized over people. Even new residents in St. James are experiencing respiratory issues like coughs, highlighting the dire situation. The 5th District of St. James is already burdened with pollution, poverty, and indifferent elected officials. However, I hold onto hope that this too shall pass,” Sharon C. Lavigne, Founder & Director of RISE St. James.
The proposed expansion of Koch Industries' methanol plant in St. James Parish raises grave concerns about environmental impact and community well-being, particularly in the 5th District, a historically Black area and the heart of RISE St. James' grassroots efforts. Koch Methanol proposes an expansion in operations at its St. James methanol production facility that would allow it to increase methanol production and would involve installing and operating a pipeline that would carry ethane to the facility. The expansion would increase the facility’s emission of criteria air pollutants by 246 tons per year, making it now a major source of air pollution under the Clean Air Act and would add ethane—a flammable, hazardous substance—to the facility’s operations. Koch’s current proposal also reveals a 3000% increase in the toxicity of permitted emissions.
On September 27, 2023, St. James Parish Council approved Koch Methanol’s land use application to expand. In response to this alarming approval by the Parish Council, RISE St. James filed a lawsuit, Beverly Alexander, et al. vs St. James Parish on February 16, 2024. Through this lawsuit we seek to hold the Parish accountable to consider the air pollution impacts on its residents when it approves industrial operations.
The Parish's land use ordinance requires that it consider "[t]he physical and environmental impacts of the proposed use on the air, water, and land," and evaluate whether the "public benefits of the proposed use are commensurate with those impacts." However, when it approved Koch Methanol's application, the Parish failed to adhere to these requirements. The Council's deliberation at the September 27, 2023 hearing indicates a blatant disregard for the significant increases in harmful air pollution resulting from the proposal, with almost no consideration given to any impacts. Moreover, the Council overlooked the imbalance between the minimal public benefits—only two permanent jobs—offered by Koch in exchange for the substantial environmental impact. Instead, the Parish focused on extraneous factors such as Koch's provision of ice during hurricanes and its perceived transparency with the Parish.
Secondly, we aim to establish that environmental impacts must also consider whether certain segments of the population bear disproportionate burdens, especially when there's no discernible benefit to those segments. Koch's location in the 5th District, which has already experienced significant industrial expansion, underscores this concern. Evidence in the record reveals that residents within a 3-mile radius of the facility face alarmingly high risks, ranking at the 92nd percentile in the state for cancer risk from industrial toxic emissions and in the 95th - 100th percentile nationally. Despite this evidence, the Council neglected to address this issue during its deliberations.
Methanol plants pose significant threats to both the environment and human health, from air and water pollution to greenhouse gas emissions, chemical hazards, and accidents. They release a range of pollutants into the atmosphere, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter, nitrogen oxides (NOx), and carbon monoxide (CO), which are known to contribute to the formation of smog, respiratory ailments, and other health complications within neighboring communities. To learn more about some of these chemicals, please see our most recent Chemicals of the Month.
Since 2010, St. James District 5 has endured a staggering 30 major oil and gas pipeline leaks, drawing attention from federal authorities. Koch Methanol must thoroughly assess the cumulative impact of wetland disruption caused by pipeline construction. Data from the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources since 1980 underscores the urgency, with our region experiencing a disproportionate number of pipeline repairs compared to others in St. James Parish and along the Louisiana Coast. It's crucial for St. James Parish to recognize the unsuitability of wetland areas like those along Hwy 3127 for pipelines. Before granting further permits, securing funding for emergency response capabilities is essential, given our region's elevated risk level.
“Koch Methanol has a history of violations. They have violated their current permits and have been subject to both formal and informal enforcement actions. Since June 2021, Koch Methanol has exceeded its ammonia limits in violation of its air permits at least six times. In September 2022, Koch Methanol also filed an incident report that the facility released a nonreportable quantity of methanol into the air. Later in October 2022, Koch Methanol received a Warning Letter from LDEQ indicating that an inspection report noted areas of concern regarding the company’s air violations. St. James Parish Council must protect its residents and consider the consequences of Koch Methanol emitting additional pollutants into the air in an already overburdened community of St. James Parish,” Shamell Lavigne, Chief Operating Officer of RISE St. James Louisiana.
In confronting these challenges, RISE St. James remains steadfast in its commitment to preserving community values, advocating for environmental justice, and fostering sustainable development in St. James Parish.
On Monday, April 8th at 2:30 PM at the Convent Courthouse, 5800 Hwy 44, Convent, LA, the Louisiana 23rd Judicial District Court will deliberate on whether Koch Industries can expand its operations within the 5th District.
Prior to the hearing, RISE St. James will hold a prayer vigil
and press briefing on the levee in St. James, LA. Here are the details:
WHAT: Prayer Vigil and Press Briefing (limited press pool)
WHO: Sharon C. Lavigne of RISE St. James, the membership of RISE St. James, and various stakeholders
WHEN: Monday, April 8, 2024, at 10 AM CST
WHERE: Levee near the former St. James High School, 5181 Wildcat Drive, St. James, LA
