Denka Performance Elastomer, a synthetic rubber manufacturing plant owned by a Japanese company of the same name, is located half a mile from an elementary school in St. John the Baptist Parish, where the air is laced with toxic chemicals emitted by dozens of different industrial facilities and more than 60 percent of residents are Black. Sign In Federal officials sued a Louisiana chemical maker on Tuesday, alleging that it presented an unacceptable cancer risk to the nearby majority-Black community and demanding cuts in toxic emissions. 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. 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. Because we remain committed to customer service, the Louisiana Department of Revenue is pleased to accept your tax payments via credit card. Chloroprene is a liquid raw material used to produce neoprene and is emitted into the air from various areas at the facility. On Tuesday, Regan said in a statement that the company had not moved far enough or fast enough on those requests. 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. Oversees all departmentoperations. The plant is one of many that activists argue puts undue health risks on Black communities in the area. A locked padlock An official website of the United States government. 1999-2023 Grist Magazine, Inc. All rights reserved. 650 Poydras Street, Suite 1600 Denkas facility, owned by a Japanese company of the same name, was previously a DuPont petrochemical plant. 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. ; otherwise, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry. Eastern District of Louisiana DuPont did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Last January, the environmental watchdog Earthjustice, on behalf of the local advocacy group Concerned Citizens of St. John and the Sierra Club, filed a civil rights complaint with the EPA against Louisianas health department and environmental agency for subjecting Black residents of St. John to disproportionate air pollution from numerous industrial facilities, including Denka. 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. outreach programs, community resources, and victim-witness services. Maite Amorebieta is a senior investigative producer with the NBC News Investigative Unit. Should funds be transmitted by these vendors Our suit aims to stop Denkas dangerous pollution.. Pursuant to LA R.S. 36:703. 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 Kindly keep in mind that although your credit card transaction will post to your credit card statement upon payment, this processing, like other electronic 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. Custom payment integrations and software development. For paper returns, the refund processing time is up to 14 weeks. Accepted Payment Methods: Bank account (ACH) Debit card Continue to the Form Preview Form Cancel 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. Now, the DOJ has filed a complaint to compel Denka to further reduce its hazardous emissions. Sign up hereinstead Legal Opinions Consumer Information Director: Millard Mul, Gaming 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. Administrative Services Coordinates the departments budget, legislative affairs, and department planning and performance. 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. We need action now for our children and want this to be put in place immediately.. What should I do if I believe I have paid this debt? Pay.gov requires the use of cookies. The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources' SONRIS (Strategic Online Natural Resources Information System) tool provides data access (e.g., oil and gas information, coastal information), document access (e.g., Office of Conservation oil/gas production cards and field orders, Office of Mineral Resources lease records), GIS access (e.g . Grist is powered by WordPress VIP. The only newsroom focused on exploring solutions at the intersection of climate and justice. To set up payment arrangements, please contact ODR at 225-219-2188 or 844-330-6176. That year, the agency published data indicating that the risk of developing cancer from air pollution in the census tract closest to Denka was nearly 50 times the national average, a result of the plants chloroprene emissions. It was part of the Biden administrations effort to spotlight concerns of environmental justice, a term that refers to the disproportionate pollution borne by so many low income communities of color across the country. Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns at collectionsinfo@ag.louisiana.gov or by phone at 225-326-6550 or 1-800-423-2129. 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. St. Charles Parish Waterworks Water Bill Redirecting to account lookup page. "The unavoidable closure of our . 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. Donate today tohelp keep Grists site and newsletters free. The EPA knew about the threat Denka posed to residents of Reserve and Laplace as early as 2015. 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. Our mission is to protect and serve all residents of Southeast Louisiana through enforcement of the laws of the United States. Elizabeth Chuck is a reporter for NBC News who focuses on health and mental health, particularly issues that affect women and children. Approximately 1,200 children who attend East St. John High School, located roughly a mile-and-a-half north of Denka, are also exposed to the facilitys chloroprene emissions. are NOT included in the balance due to LDR. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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. For those folks who prefer to take advantage of current technology, this is a quick, convenient, and secure The Justice Department's 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 . Pay.gov is a program of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Bureau of the Fiscal Service. Please use this form to make your Dept of Justice Civil Debt payments only. Director: Chris Hebert, Louisiana Bureau of Investigation 0:00 / 3:50. The lawsuit contains further details of the plants recent chloroprene emissions, which fell after Denka constructed emissions offset technology after its purchase of the plant, but still remains dangerously high and in some locations 14 times over the recommended exposure limit. The material was invented by scientists at Dupont, the American chemical giant that owns the complex where Denka operates, and that sold it the neoprene plant in 2015. to LDR on weekends or holidays, your payment will be processed on the following business day. The complaint also names DuPont Specialty Products USA LLC the owner of the land beneath Denkas facility and Denkas landlord. met, within 72 hours, LDR will notify and authorize the issuing state agencies to remove such liens. The division also initiates litigation to enforce various state laws, including, for example, the master settlement agreement against the nations largest tobacco manufacturers. The Louisiana Department of Treasury is responsible for overseeing state investments and monitoring the state's cash flow. The EPAidentifiedchloroprene as a likely human carcinogen in 2010. Have a question about Government Services? Our suit aims to stop Denkas dangerous pollution.. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); A nonprofit, independent media organization dedicated to telling stories of climate solutions and a just future. Powered by Paystar. Note: This system may contain Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU) data that requires specific data privacy handling. Official websites use .gov This complaint filed against Denka delivers on that promise.. Once taxpayer obligations are Contact: dcfs.louisiana.gov 627 N. Fourth St. Baton Rouge, LA 70802 225.524.3578 About the Agency. The date coincides with the date the IRS begins accepting federal income tax returns. This complaint filed against Denka delivers on that promise, Regan said. The Monroe Regional Office will be open for walk-in customer service Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., no appointments needed. WELCOME to the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Neoprene is a synthetic rubber found in products such as wetsuits and adhesives. 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. The Louisiana Department of Revenue provides for secured payment of returns through use of credit card vendors. And for the administration to come in and do this, it just validates our efforts.. . 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. She also served as Executive Counsel to Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System and practiced law with a Baton Rouge firm. The office, closed in 2012 due to state budget cuts, will re-open on Monday, Dec. 19, 2022. Serves as the principal liaison between the Attorney General's Office, the media, and the public. An official website of the United States government. A lock ( PayStar Payment Portal PayStar Payment Portal 95 Louisiana Attorney General Louisiana Attorney General Educational Other Debt Revenue State Agency Cancel P.O. Your support keeps our unbiased, nonprofit news free. Please enable cookies before continuing. This complaint filed against Denka delivers on that promise. Fairs, Festivals, and Other Special Events, The Importance of Protecting Client Tax Information, 2022 Practitioner Tax Update Seminar Schedule, Louisiana state income tax filing begins Monday, Jan. 23Continue Reading, Louisiana Department of Revenue to re-open Monroe regional officeContinue Reading, Deadline approaching to claim state tax refunds before they move to Unclaimed PropertyContinue Reading, Prepaid Wireless Telecommunications 911 Service Charge, Ernest N. 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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). 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 Environmental lawyers and residents of St. John have petitioned state and federal authorities to do more to tamp down Denkas emissions for years. 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. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy. 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. These payments must be made to your U. S. District Court Clerks Office. Now, making a payment is as easy as visiting our website or picking up the phone and dialing. The company has not moved far enough or fast enough to reduce emissions or ensure the safety of the surrounding community. AG Jeff Landry: Be cautious of where you place your bets to ensure you protect your information, receive fair odds, and get paid when you win. 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. Instagram, Follow us on Now, the DOJ has filed a complaint to compel Denka to further reduce its hazardous emissions. For more information about the Civil Rights Division and the Special Litigation Section, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/crt/special-litigation-section. You may also email request to: ODRPaymentPlan@LA.Gov Be sure to include Name, Debtor # and a Call Back Number. Louisiana Bureau of Investigation Provides follow-up investigation services for the Criminal Division; responds to requests for investigative assistance from government agencies, including the apprehension of fugitives; and provides investigative services in cyber crimes, white collar crimes, and public corruption. YouTube, Follow us on 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 . Any refund not claimed by the deadline remains the property of the taxpayer, and can be retrieved from the Unclaimed Property Division. Be the first to find out about the latest legal news, updates, tips, and other information. In August, LDR sent Notice of Unclaimed Property letters to 20,400 individual and business taxpayers. This makes me feel like we have something to look forward to, not five or 10 years from now we need it to happen now.. Services include: The office is located in the Northeast Louisiana State Office Building at 24 Accent Drive, Suite B500, Monroe, LA 71203. YouTube. ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. highest cancer risk rates caused by air pollution in the US, Pontchartrain Works facility in Reserve, Louisiana, enforcement action in the Cancer Alley region, during a site visit to Reserve in November 2021, were part of a years-long Guardian series. The Civil Division represents the State of Louisiana, its departments and agencies, boards and commissions, and statewide elected officials. have been levied for prior non payment. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Lock 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. As part of our commitment to sustainability, in 2021 Grist moved its office headquarters to the Bullitt Center in Seattles vibrant Capitol Hill neighborhood. THERE IS NO RIGHT TO PRIVACY IN THIS SYSTEM. Denka said in a statement that it has reduced emissions by about 85% since it took over the plant in 2015. Design and build by Upstatement. Department of Justice ag.louisiana.gov 1885 N. Third St. Baton Rouge, LA 70802 225.326.6079 The Denka plant in LaPlace, Louisiana, is along a stretch of the Mississippi River that activists and residents have nicknamed Cancer Alley.. Please click here to see any active alerts. The Louisiana Department of Revenue recently began a cooperative project with all other state agencies that provides for suspension and revocation of Denka Performance Elastomers manufactures neoprene at its chemical plant in Reserve, La. In the aggregate, the thousands of people breathing this air are incurring a significantly higher cancer risk than would be typically allowed, and they are being exposed to a much greater cancer risk from Denkas air pollution than the majority of United States residents face, the suit states. Denka's facility is along a stretch of the Mississippi River that activists and residents have nicknamed "Cancer Alley" because of the unusually high cancer risk among communities there and the emissions that come from the numerous plants in the area. 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. Your Address, Corporation Income/Franchise Extension Request. 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. According to EPA calculations in the suit, current chloroprene emissions present a risk that is especially grave for infants and children under the age of 16. So far, approximately 4,000 have responded to claim their refunds. The Louisiana Department of Revenue recently began a cooperative project with all other state agencies that provides for suspension and revocation of licenses and permits previously issued to taxpayers that have failed to meet their tax obligations. If you have any questions call the DOJ Consolidated Debt Collection System (CDCS) Help Desk at 1-800-683-6567. He not only waived any right to appeal, probation, or parole. Suing on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the justice department is now seeking a federal court order to compel Denka (DPE), the Japanese chemical giant operating the facility, to immediately take all necessary measures to curb emissions of the compound chloroprene, labeled by the EPA as a likely human carcinogen. Be the first to find out about the latest legal news, updates, tips, and other information. The department will issue paper checks to all taxpayers submitting completed vouchers by the Oct. 6 deadline. If you have any questions regarding TEFRAs, Contracts, or Resolutions - you may contact Michelle Boutte at bouttem@ag.louisiana.gov or Monica Reed at reedm@ag.louisiana.gov. IE 11 is not supported. For returns submitted electronically, taxpayers due refunds can expect them within 45 days of the filing date.
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