assistance. The lawsuit also names a subsidiary of the US chemicals giant DuPont, which constructed the Pontchartrain Works facility as a neoprene plant and operated it for over half a century. Unveiled on Tuesday, the lawsuit alleges emissions at the Pontchartrain Works facility in Reserve, Louisiana, violate the Clean Air Act and present an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health and welfare. "The company has not moved far enough or fast enough to reduce emissions or ensure the safety of the surrounding community," said Regan, who has been vocal about his commitment to environmental justice. Environmental lawyers and residents of St. John have petitioned state and federal authorities to do more to tamp down Denkas emissions for years. Note: This system may contain Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU) data that requires specific data privacy handling. In the event that your payment takes over 6 days to post to your LDR account, please feel free to call our taxpayer services department for additional Please enable cookies before continuing. Mary Hampton, another founder of Concerned Citizens of St John Parish, said the lawsuit was the culmination of years of advocacy from community members and represented that finally we have a little hope. For returns submitted electronically, taxpayers due refunds can expect them within 45 days of the filing date. 1-877-297-0995 constituentservices@ag.louisiana.gov MENU Home About Divisions News Resources Collections Contact Search Protecting Innocence This form needs Javascript to display, which your browser doesn't support. So far, approximately 4,000 have responded to claim their refunds. Denkas chloroprenes emissions reach more than 300 young children who attend the 5th Ward Elementary School, located within approximately 450 feet of Denkas facility. In a statement Tuesday, EPA Administrator Michael Regan said the Justice Department's move followed his pledge to take strong action for communities living near the plant. You have accessed a U.S. Government information system, which includes (1) this computer, (2) this network, (3) all computers connected to this network, and (4) all devices and storage media attached to this network or to a computer on this network. outreach programs, community resources, and victim-witness services. This complaint seeks to compel Denka to eliminate the public health endangerment caused by its emissions by greatly reducing the levels of chloroprene to which this community is being exposed. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. The only newsroom focused on exploring solutions at the intersection of climate and justice. Now, the DOJ has filed a complaint to compel Denka to further reduce its hazardous emissions. Serves as legal advisor and legal representative to all Louisiana gaming regulatory agencies. Official websites use .gov Now, making a payment is as easy as visiting our website or picking up the phone and dialing. Director: Millard Mul, Gaming Louisiana File Online allows taxpayers to: Taxpayers may also submit their returns using commercially available tax preparation software, or with printed state returns available at www.revenue.louisiana.gov/Forms. Elizabeth Chuck is a reporter for NBC News who focuses on health and mental health, particularly issues that affect women and children. Its litigation reflects the diversity of government activities, involving, for example, the defense of challenges to state programs, actions and laws; debt collection owed to the state; and protection of the state's natural resources, lands and water . Donate today tohelp keep Grists site and newsletters free. YouTube. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry Loading. The Department of Justice is seeking to compel a chemical manufacturing plant to curb its emissions in a region where the estimated cancer risk is among the highest in the United States. BATON ROUGE The Louisiana Department of Revenue will begin accepting 2022 state individual income tax returns on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. Deena Tumeh, an attorney at the environmental watchdog Earthjustice, said in a statement that the complaint is a long-awaited answer to the communitys repeated calls for immediate action. Provides legal representation to the State, its agencies, and its employees in all tort claims seeking damages and defends claims managed by the ORM or any post-secondary education institution granted an exemption from the States risk management program. met, within 72 hours, LDR will notify and authorize the issuing state agencies to remove such liens. Your support keeps our unbiased, nonprofit news free. Reader support helps sustain our work. The Denka Performance Elastomer Plant in Louisiana. System personnel may give to law enforcement officials any potential evidence of crime found on U.S. Government information systems. Because we remain committed to customer service, the Louisiana Department of Revenue is pleased to accept your tax payments via credit card. for more information. Mallett earned her bachelor's degree from Louisiana State University and her law degree from Loyola . Denkas facility is the only one in the country that makes neoprene, a type of synthetic rubber used for wetsuits and mousepads, a process which releases the carcinogen chloroprene. Disaster Fraud Hotline: Report fraud related to natural and man-made disasters, Felon Sentenced to 65 Months for Federal Gun Charge, Florida Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possession With Intent to Distribute a Quantity of Methamphetamine, Dr. Charles J. Southall, III Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison for Money Laundering, Obtaining Over $889,000 Through Fraud, New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy, Carjacking, and Weapons Violations, Honduran National Indicted for Illegal Re-Entry. The complaint, first reported by NBC News, was filed Tuesday in the U.S. District . The Louisiana Department of Revenue provides for secured payment of returns through use of credit card vendors. The EPA knew about the threat Denka posed to residents of Reserve and Laplace as early as 2015. Should funds be transmitted by these vendors Its litigation reflects the diversity of government activities, involving, for example, the defense of challenges to state programs, actions and laws; debt collection owed to the state; and protection of the states natural resources, lands and water bottoms. Walmart, Target, Home Depot lead pack of retailers emitting millions of pounds of CO2 through shipping, Georgians plead with state officials to protect the Okefenokee from mining. The parish sits along the Mississippi River just north of New Orleans in the states main industrial corridor, a region commonly known as Cancer Alley., This brings us hope, said Mary Hampton, president of the local advocacy group Concerned Citizens of St. John, which was founded in 2016. In its statement, Denka said it strongly disagrees with the federal government's decision to file a legal complaint and with the EPA's assessment of the health risks the plant's emissions pose to the surrounding community. But on-site inspections by the EPA in April and May 2022 found that Denkawas not meeting regulatory requirements for the storage and disposal of chloroprene waste, which contributes to emissions of chloroprene from the plant. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. EPA is finally treating this health crisis for what it isan emergency. What remains to be seen, she told Grist in an email, is how much and how fast it will be enforced. Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to contact the Justice Department by phone at 1-833-492-0097, or by email at community.louisianadoc@usdoj.gov. Official websites use .gov A statement issued by Denka on Tuesday said the company strongly disagrees with the legal action and urged the EPA to re-evaluate its findings on chloroprene exposure. An official website of the United States government. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The Biden administration sued a chemical company operating in southeast Louisiana on Tuesday, compelling it to face up to the cancer risk generated by its toxic emissions, a move that activists have been demanding for years. Taxpayers using credits cards to pay outstanding balances due the Louisiana Department of Revenue (LDR) must plan for additional transaction time if An official website of the United States government. DPE is in compliance with its air permits and applicable law. In a statement, associate attorney general Vanita Gupta said: The justice departments environmental justice efforts require ensuring that every community, no matter its demographics, can breathe clean air and drink clean water. The justice department complaint does not directly specify that Denka should reduce its emissions to the 0.2 micrograms lifetime exposure recommendation, but cites the guidance throughout the complaint. Powered by Paystar. The Civil Division represents the State of Louisiana, its departments and agencies, boards and commissions, and statewide elected officials. JavaScript appears to be disabled on this computer. Separately, the two groups sued the EPA for missing a deadline to update its regulations for neoprene manufacturing plants. Please update your browser to ensure your payment is secure. In particular, he expressed concern for the 300 students attending the nearby Fifth Ward Elementary School. Once taxpayer obligations are The company has not moved far enough or fast enough to reduce emissions or ensure the safety of the surrounding community. Twitter, Follow us on The Department of Justice receives hundreds of legal questionsevery year from state and local authorities, resulting in opinions that carry significant weight in the legal community. This action is not the first step we have taken to reduce risks to the people living in Saint John the Baptist Parish, and it will not be the last., We allege that Denkas emissions have led to unsafe concentrations of carcinogenic chloroprene near homes and schools in St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana, said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. Known as one of the greenest commercial buildings in the world, since it opened its doors on Earth Day in 2013 the Bullitt Center has been setting a new standard for sustainable design. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Grist is powered by WordPress VIP. The EPAidentifiedchloroprene as a likely human carcinogen in 2010. Our suit aims to stop Denkas dangerous pollution.. DuPont sold the plant to Denka in 2015 in a secretive deal, which the Guardian later revealed was motivated by concerns from DuPont that it would face heavier regulation after the EPAs decision to classify chloroprene as a likely human carcinogen. If you received one of the letters but havent responded yet, simply complete and return the attached voucher to LDR. Instagram, Follow us on If you have any questions call the DOJ Consolidated Debt Collection System (CDCS) Help Desk at 1-800-683-6567. Chloroprene is a liquid raw material used to produce neoprene and is emitted into the air from various areas at the facility. We need action now for our children and want this to be put in place immediately.. EPA air monitoring around the facility has consistently shown readings well in excess of the recommended lifetime exposure limit of 0.2 micrograms per cubic meter. St. Charles Parish Waterworks 301 Third Street Luling, LA 70070 985-783-5110 http://stcharlesparish-la.gov/ Need Help Paying? The agency is now under a court order to get it done. The treasurer also serves as chairman of the State Bond Commission, which centralizes and administers state debt. The complaint asserts that the LaPlace plants operations present an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health and welfare due to the cancer risks from Denkas chloroprene emissions. We noticed your internet browser is not supported. Twitter, Follow us on On Tuesday, Regan said in a statement that the company had not moved far enough or fast enough on those requests. The complaint asserts that the LaPlace plants operations present an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health and welfare due to the cancer risks from Denkas chloroprene emissions. WASHINGTON - Today, on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and in coordination with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a complaint under Section 303 of the Clean Air Act against Denka Performance Elastomer LLC (Denka) to compel Denka to significantly reduce hazardous chloroprene emissions from its . U.S. Government information systems are provided for the processing of official U.S. Government information only. Fairs, Festivals, and Other Special Events, The Importance of Protecting Client Tax Information, 2022 Practitioner Tax Update Seminar Schedule, Individual Income Tax Credit Card Payments, Update Payment Processing for utilities, government, businesses. The complaint also names DuPont Specialty Products USA LLC the owner of the land beneath Denkas facility and Denkas landlord. Our mission is to protect and serve all residents of Southeast Louisiana through enforcement of the laws of the United States. A locked padlock The suit claims that emissions remain so high that a child breathing air near certain monitors around the facilitys fence line would exceed their lifetime excess cancer risk within two years. "This action is not the first step we have taken to reduce risks to the people living in Saint John the Baptist Parish, and it will not be the last.". 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