A federal ruling preventing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from pursuing civil rights claims against Louisiana’s chemical plants has left environmental justice activists considering new strategies to combat pollution in communities of color.
Victoria St. Martin reports for Inside Climate News.
In short:
- A judge’s decision bars the EPA from using Title VI of the Civil Rights Act to address environmental racism in Louisiana’s "Cancer Alley."
- Activists express concern for residents, especially children, living near the chloroprene plant in Reserve, which has high cancer risks.
- Despite the setback, advocates vow to continue their fight, exploring other legal and community-based avenues.
Key quote:
“Louisiana has given industrial polluters open license to poison Black and brown communities for generations, only to now have one court give it a permanent free pass to abandon its responsibilities.”
— Patrice Simms, vice president of litigation, Earthjustice
Why this matters:
Communities of color in Louisiana face heightened health risks from industrial pollution. The court’s decision weakens a key tool used to protect these vulnerable populations, potentially setting a concerning precedent nationwide.
