YouTube, Follow us on 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. Elizabeth Chuck is a reporter for NBC News who focuses on health and mental health, particularly issues that affect women and children. 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. In its complaint filed on Tuesday, the Justice Department also named Dupont as a party responsible for ensuring that the plant reduces its emissions of chloroprene, which has been linked to numerous cancers and diseases of the nervous, immune, and respiratory systems. Moreover, our priorities go beyond prosecuting criminals and litigating cases, as we serve our community through a variety ofoutreach programs, community resources, and victim-witness services. Member Address Seat Information; Landry, Jeffrey M. "Jeff" DuPont is a necessary party to ensure there are no delays in any actions that Denka is ordered to take to reduce its chloroprene emissions as a result of the rights DuPont holds under its lease agreement with Denka. If you have any questions call the DOJ Consolidated Debt Collection System (CDCS) Help Desk at 1-800-683-6567. Our suit aims to stop Denkas dangerous pollution.. Today, on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and in coordination with the U.S. Attorneys 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 neoprene manufacturing facility in LaPlace, Louisiana. 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. LaPlace is in the majority-Black St. John the Baptist Parish,about 30 miles outside of New Orleans. The agency is now under a court order to get it done. "EPAs allegation directly contradicts the agencys own prior statements, credible data on health in St. John the Baptist Parish and the best available science on the chemical chloroprene," the statement said. Your support keeps our unbiased, nonprofit news free. When I visited Saint John the Baptist Parish during my first Journey to Justice tour, I pledged to the community that EPA would take strong action to protect the health and safety of families from harmful chloroprene pollution from the Denka facility, said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. The Civil Division issues written legal opinions to the governor, the state auditor, the state treasurer, state boards, agencies and commissions, the district attorneys of the state, and parish and municipal governing authorities. EPA administrator gives update on commitment to curbing pollution in communities of color. Pursuant to LA R.S. license and permit liens (for example, driver, fishing and hunting licenses, etc.) Accepted Payment Methods: Bank account (ACH) Debit card Continue to the Form Preview Form Cancel 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 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. Jan. 27, 202206:15. JavaScript appears to be disabled on this computer. The facility is the only site in the US to emit the compound, which is a primary constituent of the synthetic rubber neoprene. The remaining approximately $9.5 million in funds will be transferred by law to the Unclaimed Property Division of the state treasurers office later this month if not claimed by Oct. 6. The re-opening of the office provides the area with a vital resource for the resolution of a wide range of state tax matters, in addition to any business they might have with the Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control, which will have staff assigned there.. An official website of the United States government. A lock ( DO NOT USE THIS FORM FOR CRIMINAL PAYMENTS. 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. The complaint also names DuPont Specialty Products USA LLC the owner of the land beneath Denkas facility and Denkas landlord. WASHINGTON Federal officials sued a Louisiana chemical maker on Tuesday, alleging that it presents an unacceptable cancer risk to the nearby majority-Black community and demanding . The office, closed in 2012 due to state budget cuts, will re-open on Monday, Dec. 19, 2022. For those folks who prefer to take advantage of current technology, this is a quick, convenient, and secure The Denka plant in LaPlace, Louisiana, is along a stretch of the Mississippi River that activists and residents have nicknamed Cancer Alley.. On Jan. 23, taxpayers can begin filing their state income tax returns electronically through Louisiana File Online, the states free web portal for individual tax filers. The division also initiates litigation to enforce various state laws, including, for example, the master settlement agreement against the nations largest tobacco manufacturers. So far, approximately 4,000 have responded to claim their refunds. The revelations were part of a years-long Guardian series examining air pollution in Reserve and throughout Cancer Alley. WASHINGTON Today, on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and in coordination with the U.S. Attorneys 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 neoprene manufacturing facility in LaPlace, Louisiana. The Justice Departments environmental justice efforts require ensuring that every community, no matter its demographics, can breathe clean air and drink clean water. Facebook, Follow us on St. Charles Parish Waterworks 301 Third Street Luling, LA 70070 985-783-5110 http://stcharlesparish-la.gov/ Need Help Paying? ; otherwise, A locked padlock method of making certain that your payments are received and posted correctly and on-time. EPA is taking an unprecedented step deviating from its permitting and rulemaking authorities to allege an emergency based on outdated and erroneous science the agency released over 12 years ago, the statement said. 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. Even when Denka's facility was shut down for a month in September 2021 after Hurricane Ida, a small monitoring demonstration test by the Louisiana State University School of Public Health revealed detectable levels of chloroprene in two out of 10 air samples, according to the researchers. We need action now for our children and want this to be put in place immediately.. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy. Our mission is to protect and serve all residents of Southeast Louisiana through enforcement of the laws of the United States. We noticed your internet browser is not supported. Eastern District of Louisiana 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. Follow us on Oversees all departmentoperations. transactions of this sort, is completed through third part vendors (Official Payments Corp. and Payment Tech, Inc.). Denka Performance Elastomer LLC makes synthetic rubber, emitting the carcinogen chloroprene, in such high . The company has been lobbying the federal government for years, claiming the compounds peer-reviewed classification is based on outdated science. The treasurer also serves as chairman of the State Bond Commission, which centralizes and administers state debt. Please enable cookies before continuing. To support our nonprofit environmental journalism, please consider disabling your ad-blocker to allow ads on Grist. 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. Taxpayers using credits cards to pay outstanding balances due the Louisiana Department of Revenue (LDR) must plan for additional transaction time if DuPont still owns the land beneath Denkas facility so is also named in the DOJ complaint. When I visited Saint John the Baptist Parish during my first Journey to Justice tour, I pledged to the community that EPA would take strong action to protect the health and safety of families from harmful chloroprene pollution from the Denka facility,, We allege that Denkas emissions have led to unsafe concentrations of carcinogenic chloroprene near homes and schools in St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana,, Emissions reductions at Denka has been one of our top priorities at LDEQ, and EPAis nowbuilding on the steps LDEQ took five years ago and our continuing efforts to reduce chloroprene emissions from the Denka facility,, Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA). Box 94005 Baton Rouge, LA 70804 (800) 423-2129 Terms of Use / Privacy Policy Powered By (888) 617-1811 | help@paystar.co PayStar Terms of Use 36:703. Every justice of the peace and constable is required to attend the Justices of the Peace Training course offered by the attorney general at least once every other year. . have been levied for prior non payment. 2021 Recap Video. The Civil Division represents the State of Louisiana, its departments and agencies, boards and commissions, and statewide elected officials. Create an Account BATON ROUGE Thousands of Louisiana taxpayers have until Thursday, Oct. 6 to claim millions of dollars in state income tax refunds before the Louisiana Department of Revenue (LDR) transfers them to the states Unclaimed Property fund. IE 11 is not supported. They know they can comply, Hampton said. Please update your browser to ensure your payment is secure. The complaint, first reported by NBC News, was filed Tuesday in the U.S. District . This complaint filed against Denka delivers on that promise, Regan said. ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Louisiana Department of Justice 176 followers 3w Today, Dennis Perkins admitted to his despicable crimes and pled guilty in court. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. He not only waived any right to appeal, probation, or parole. Director: Elise Cazes, Civil Sign up hereinstead Legal Opinions Consumer Information The unavoidable closure of our Monroe office deprived taxpayers in northeast Louisiana of a convenient option for in-person customer service, Secretary of Revenue Kevin Richard said. Should you choose this option, you can expect Director: Chris Hebert, Louisiana Bureau of Investigation Have a question about Government Services? 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. System personnel may give to law enforcement officials any potential evidence of crime found on U.S. Government information systems. In 2010, EPA published its peer-reviewed assessment of chloroprene that concluded that chloroprene is likely to be carcinogenic to humans. Approximately 20% of the total population living within two-and-a-half miles of Denka are children under the age of 18, and between about 800-1,000 are children under the age of five. Mallett earned her bachelor's degree from Louisiana State University and her law degree from Loyola . The Justice Departments complaint was made under Section 303 of the Clean Air Act, which provides the EPA with the authority to address conditions that present an imminent and substantial endangerment to the publics health. In November 2021, EPA Administrator Michael Regan visited people living near the facility during his Journey to Justice tour, a survey of polluted communities across the south. This will have a tremendous impact on our struggle here, said Robert Taylor, a founder of Concerned Citizens of St John Parish. Heres why a California beach town just banned balloons, This is absurd: Train cars that derailed in Ohio were labeled non-hazardous, Why North Dakota is preparing to sue Minnesota over clean energy, Study: Extreme heat is driving deaths in US prisons, In a growing petrochemical hub, the East Palestine derailment triggers an uneasy feeling, One year in, the toxic legacy of war in Ukraine comes into view. Grist is powered by WordPress VIP. To set up payment arrangements, please contact ODR at 225-219-2188 or 844-330-6176. to LDR on weekends or holidays, your payment will be processed on the following business day. The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services works to keep children safe, helps individuals and families become self-sufficient and operates shelters during disasters. But air monitors that the EPA set up around the facility continued to pick up concerning levels of the chemical. 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. And either they use their money and do it right or face the power of the EPA., Cancer and chemicals in Reserve, Louisiana: the science explained, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. PayStar Payment Portal PayStar Payment Portal 95 Louisiana Attorney General Louisiana Attorney General Educational Other Debt Revenue State Agency Cancel P.O. Over the years, Denka has committed to taking steps to reduce the plant's emissions. The Denka Performance Elastomer plant in LaPlace, Louisiana, along the Mississippi River, is the only facility in the U.S. that produces chloroprene, a chemical used in the production of neoprene. Over the six years we have been fighting this fight we havent had anything as great as this to happen in terms of getting concrete action on emissions., Speaking to the Guardian, Taylor added: The state government has totally ignored us marches on the capitol, rallying they wouldnt even give us an audience. This complaint filed against Denka delivers on that promise.. The plant is one of many that activists argue puts undue health risks on Black communities in the area. In particular, he expressed concern for the 300 students attending the nearby Fifth Ward Elementary School. These payments must be made to your U. S. District Court Clerks Office. Maite Amorebieta is a senior investigative producer with the NBC News Investigative Unit. The action raises the stakes in a longstanding conflict between the Louisiana plant, nearby residents and the Environmental Protection Agency. The US justice department has sued the two petrochemical giants behind a facility in Louisiana's "Cancer Alley" responsible for the highest cancer risk rates caused by air pollution in the . Next Cancel P.O. Taxpayers can minimize delays in receiving their refunds by updating their contact information with LDR. Sign In Hampton urged both Denka and DuPont to comply with the federal governments demands set forth in the lawsuit. YouTube. Our mission is to protect and serve all residents of Southeast Louisiana through enforcement of the laws of the United States. 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