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. In such cases, please allow additional time, up to 6 days, for processing. ART4: 8 &13 R.S. The division also initiates litigation to enforce various state laws, including, for example, the master settlement agreement against the nations largest tobacco manufacturers. 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. . Create an Account 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. Your dealings with us should be as quick and painless as possible. According to EPA calculations, emissions from the former DuPont plant, now owned by Denka, present a risk that is especially grave for children. 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, said LDEQ Secretary Dr. Chuck Carr Brown. ; otherwise, 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. Justice.gov; News; Official websites use .gov Director: Joe Picone More If you have moved or changed your name since your last tax filing, update your contact information at www.revenue.louisiana.gov/AddressChange. 3 min read. Serves as legal advisor and legal representative to all Louisiana gaming regulatory agencies. The move marks a significant escalation of the Biden administrations enforcement action in the Cancer Alley region, and was instantly hailed by members of the predominantly Black community around the plant as a major victory in their ongoing campaign for clean air. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS In particular, he expressed concern for the 300 students attending the nearby Fifth Ward Elementary School. The department will issue paper checks to all taxpayers submitting completed vouchers by the Oct. 6 deadline. Our mission is to protect and serve all residents of Southeast Louisiana through enforcement of the laws of the United States. On Tuesday, Regan said in a statement that the company had not moved far enough or fast enough on those requests. The complaint, first reported by NBC News, was filed Tuesday in the U.S. District . The Civil Division represents the State of Louisiana, its departments and agencies, boards and commissions, and statewide elected officials. 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. JavaScript appears to be disabled on this computer. Provides legal representation to the state, its departments and agencies, boards and commissions, and statewide elected officials. This complaint filed against Denka delivers on that promise. 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. The Justice Departments environmental justice efforts require ensuring that every community, no matter its demographics, can breathe clean air and drink clean water. WELCOME to the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Denkas facility manufactures neoprene, a flexible, synthetic rubber used to produce common goods like wetsuits, beverage cozies, laptop sleeves, orthopedic braces, and automotive belts and hoses. U.S. District Courts Eastern District of Louisiana Middle District of Louisiana Western District of Louisiana U.S. Bankruptcy Courts Eastern District of Louisiana Middle District of Louisiana Western District of Louisiana State and Local Courts State Judiciary Judiciary - Links to Louisiana Courts Supreme Court Email: [email protected] Powered by Paystar Terms of Use| Privacy Policy| Denka Performance Elastomers manufactures neoprene at its chemical plant in Reserve, La. 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. This complaint filed against Denka delivers on that promise, Regan said. 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. Please click here to see any active alerts. The Louisiana Department of Revenue provides for secured payment of returns through use of credit card vendors. You may also email request to: ODRPaymentPlan@LA.Gov Be sure to include Name, Debtor # and a Call Back Number. 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. Director: Mike Dupree. On Tuesday, residents and advocates celebrated the news, describing it as justice long overdue. Director: Chris Hebert, Louisiana Bureau of Investigation Payment Processing for utilities, government, businesses. Now, the DOJ has filed a complaint to compel Denka to further reduce its hazardous emissions. LaPlace is in the majority-Black St. John the Baptist Parish,about 30 miles outside of New Orleans. BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Department of Revenue (LDR) will resume full walk-in customer service for individual and business taxpayers in northeast Louisiana with the re-opening of the LDR Monroe Regional Office. Employers / Post Job. Custom payment integrations and software development. 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 . 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. That 2021 test, which was not a formal study, found levels approximately four times above the EPAs recommended maximum annual average chloroprene concentration. YouTube, Follow us on Chief Deputy Attorney General: Bill Stiles, Communications The only newsroom focused on exploring solutions at the intersection of climate and justice. If you received one of the letters but havent responded yet, simply complete and return the attached voucher to LDR. Donate today tohelp keep Grists site and newsletters free. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 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 650 Poydras Street, Suite 1600 Contact: dcfs.louisiana.gov 627 N. Fourth St. Baton Rouge, LA 70802 225.524.3578 About the Agency. are NOT included in the balance due to LDR. Be the first to find out about the latest legal news, updates, tips, and other information. Please update your browser to ensure your payment is secure. After the visit, Regan sent a letter to Denka urging executives to take steps to reduce the threat to those living in the surrounding towns of Laplace and Reserve. Children under the age of 16 are particularly vulnerable to mutagenic carcinogens like chloroprene. 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. NOTE: Fees and fines imposed by the licensing agency that are applicable to the reinstatement of the suspended or revoked license/permit 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. 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. 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. Note: This system may contain Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU) data that requires specific data privacy handling. 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. She also served as Executive Counsel to Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System and practiced law with a Baton Rouge firm. Jan. 27, 202206:15. & authorize PayStar to process this payment along with the service fee of $0.00 which will also be charged to the credit/debit card. The complaint, first reported by NBC News, was filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court for Eastern Louisiana on behalf of the EPA under the Clean Air Act. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Next Cancel P.O. Sign up hereinstead Legal Opinions Consumer Information Powered by Paystar. 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. St. Charles Parish Waterworks 301 Third Street Luling, LA 70070 985-783-5110 http://stcharlesparish-la.gov/ Need Help Paying? Terms of Use | Privacy Policy. Pay.gov is a program of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Bureau of the Fiscal Service. State of Louisiana Department of Justice c/o Constituent Services P. O. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Lock payment processing to be completed within 3 or 4 business days of the transaction. All data contained on U.S. Government information systems is owned by the U.S. Government and may, for the purpose of protecting the rights and property of the U.S. Government, be monitored, intercepted, recorded, read, searched, copied, or captured in any manner and disclosed or used for any lawful government purpose at any time. Administrative Services Coordinates the departments budget, legislative affairs, and department planning and performance. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Official websites use .gov license and permit liens (for example, driver, fishing and hunting licenses, etc.) Box 94005 Baton Rouge, LA 70804 (800) 423-2129 Terms of Use / Privacy Policy Powered By (888) 617-1811 | help@paystar.co 0:10. 2:01. Elizabeth Chuck is a reporter for NBC News who focuses on health and mental health, particularly issues that affect women and children. Hampton urged both Denka and DuPont to comply with the federal governments demands set forth in the lawsuit. 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. The EPA said it found during an investigation that state agencies had failed to provide residents with information about the cancer risks associated with chloroprene levels in the area, among other problems. This is a secure service provided by United States Department of the Treasury. Sonia Mallett has spent the majority of the last 25 years serving with the Louisiana Department of Justice. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry Loading. 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. 36:703. 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. 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 . Your support keeps our unbiased, nonprofit news free. A lock ( 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. Email: ConstituentServices@ag.louisiana.gov. 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 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 . Please use this form to make your Dept of Justice Civil Debt payments only. 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. 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