In a legal reversal, a Louisiana court has reignited Formosa Plastics' plans for the country's largest plastics manufacturing complex, raising environmental and health concerns.
Lylla Younes reports for Grist.
In short:
- A state appeals court in Louisiana overturned a previous ruling, clearing the way for Formosa Plastics to build a $9.4 billion plastics manufacturing complex in St. James Parish.
- The project, known as the Sunshine Project, is set to become the largest of its kind in the U.S., but faces strong opposition due to environmental and health risks, particularly in increasing cancer rates.
- Local residents and advocacy groups, despite the setback, vow to continue their fight against the project, citing Formosa's history of environmental violations and the project's potential impact on the community.
Key quote:
“We are in Louisiana, a state dominated by the petrochemical industry. If I got discouraged when we had setbacks from our government, I would have quit long ago.”
— Anne Rolfes, a veteran environmental advocate and head of the Louisiana Bucket Brigade
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