Official Statement from the Concerned Citizens of St. John Parish
on Denka's Emergency Motion to Delay 90-Day Compliance Period
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 31, 2024
RESERVE, LOUISIANA - On April 9, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a new rule designed to significantly reduce emissions of toxic air pollutants from synthetic organic chemical manufacturing and polymers and resins plants. The rule targets harmful substances such as ethylene oxide (EtO) and chloroprene, which have been linked to serious health risks, including cancer.
Here are the key implications for Denka Performance Elastomer:
Stricter Emission Limits: Denka, the largest chloroprene emitter in the U.S., must comply with tougher emission standards aimed at reducing cancer risks for nearby residents.
Fenceline Monitoring: The facility will be required to continuously monitor air quality at its perimeter, ensuring adherence to new standards and providing transparency on pollutant levels.
Compliance Timeline: Denka has been given 90 days to meet the new fenceline monitoring and ambient air standards, necessitating significant changes to its operations and control technologies.
Denka, located in St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana, produces neoprene and employs approximately 250 people. The plant, situated near an elementary school and in an area known as Cancer Alley, has been at the center of environmental and racial justice debates.
Denka's Response:
Denka has expressed concerns over the 90-day compliance deadline, calling it "illegal and politically motivated." The company argues that this timeframe is insufficient compared to the two-year deadline given to other facilities. Denka has filed an emergency motion with the U.S. Court of Appeals to stay the compliance period, warning that failure to extend the deadline may force the facility to shut down.
Community and Environmental Activists' Perspectives:
“Over the last eight years, Denka has continued to poison the children at 5th Ward Elementary School and our surrounding community. Our loved ones of all ages are sick and dying but that is not a priority for this Billion Dollar Corporation. This is a moment of reckoning,” said Robert Taylor, Founder & Director of The Concerned Citizens of St. John (CCSJ).
“We are pleased with the HON ruling and its 90-day deadline. Our community has endured 56 years of toxic chloroprene emissions from DuPont and now Denka. We should not have to endure another day. The money Denka spent on lawyers appealing this suggested limit should have been spent on lowering emissions to a safe level for our community,” Tish Taylor, Program Manager CCSJ stated.
“I was raised on the fence line of Dupont/Denka and lost many of my family and neighbors. I don’t want the future generations of my family to suffer the consequences of chemical exposure as we did. We deserve better,” Tim Keller, Board of Directors, CCSJ.
“We live in fear, local governments in Louisiana could soon be allowed to shield business records from public. These are complicated situations but the human toll is priority number one,” Larry Sorapuru, Board of Directors, CCSJ, emphasized.
Sharon Lavigne, founder of RISE St. James, honors the dedication of Denka workers and their families. "There's dignity in a day's work. Every day, hardworking Americans sacrifice themselves to provide for their families. We recognize the hard work of Denka employees and their commitment to their families. Our fight is for their health and well-being as much as it is for our community’s future. This is an opportunity for a just transition rooted in low-income communities of color, who see the need to phase out industries that harm workers, community health, and the planet. At the same time, we MUST provide just pathways for workers to transition to other jobs, with even better pay in alliance with fenceline and frontline communities."
Background:
In 2016, EPA held an emergency community meeting and reported that Reserve, La had the highest risk of cancer in the United States due to emissions of Chloroprene from Denka/Dupont. They suggested Denka should lower emissions to 0.2 micrograms per cubic meter of air. CCSJ has diligently advocated for the safety of St. John Parish. We have traveled to Japan twice to speak directly to Denka’s Board of Directors but were met with open hostility. Profit is their priority.
The EPA's action follows a broader initiative by the Biden administration to address pollution in communities that disproportionately bear environmental burdens. The rule is expected to reduce cancer risks and improve public health protections.
This statement is issued by the Concerned Citizens of St. John Parish in support of the EPA's efforts to protect our community's health and well-being. We stand with environmental activists and residents in advocating for stringent regulations to ensure a safer environment for all.
ABOUT THE CONCERNED CITIZENS OF ST. JOHN PARISH
At CCSJ, our mission is to advocate for the health and safety of all citizens. Starting with our local councilmember, we are committed to holding government officials and industries accountable for the quality of our air, water, and soil. Additionally, we strive to secure a safe and promising future for the children in our parish while providing leadership to advance our community in various aspects. Please contact us directly with all inquiries and funding opportunities as we may require a signed letter of support including a wet signature.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Robert Taylor
504-559-7304
Tish Taylor
504-417-4732
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