Advance Climate Justice

An explosion yesterday at the Marathon oil refinery in Southeast Louisiana was a bitter reminder of the day-to-day risks faced by workers in the oil, gas and petrochemical industry, as well as the fenceline communities who live with the direct consequences of these plants. While the blaze was eventually tamed, at least one contractor was brought to a local hospital to treat their injuries.

Ironton, an African-American town in Plaquemines Parish, organized over the course of a year and throughout the pandemic. They opposed the construction of an oil terminal, planned by Tallgrass Energy, at the fenceline of their community. Tallgrass intended to build its terminal at the site of the former St. Rosalie plantation, right upriver from the historic Black community. 

In 2016, the EPA formally acknowledged what communities long suspected: that ethylene oxide is a cancer causing chemical. Right now the EPA is developing agency rules around ethylene oxide and other miscellaneous organic chemicals. Healthy Gulf has requested the public be provided a virtual hearing with Spanish & Vietnamese translation available throughout the event.