"The unavoidable closure of our . According to EPA calculations, emissions from the former DuPont plant, now owned by Denka, present a risk that is especially grave for children. A lock ( This action is not the first step we have taken to reduce risks to the people living in St John the Baptist Parish, and it will not be the last.. A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Chloroprene is a liquid raw material used to produce neoprene and is emitted into the air from various areas at the facility. 36:703. EPA administrator gives update on commitment to curbing pollution in communities of color. System personnel may give to law enforcement officials any potential evidence of crime found on U.S. Government information systems. 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 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. 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. The complaint, first reported by NBC News, was filed Tuesday in the U.S. District . ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. "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.". outreach programs, community resources, and victim-witness services. ContractforProfessionalLegalServicesTemplate.pdf, GuidetoLAJPCourts2ndEdition9.28.2021forweb.pdf, AmendedOpenMeetingsGuidanceinlightofCOVID-19andtherecentpassageofR.S.4217.1.pdf. Your support keeps our unbiased, nonprofit news free. DuPont did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 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. Sign up hereinstead Legal Opinions Consumer Information 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. The lawyers and staff in our office work hard every day to defend our national security, improve the safety and quality of life in . Custom payment integrations and software development. 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. Instagram, Follow us on Now, making a payment is as easy as visiting our website or picking up the phone and dialing. SBA Borrowers: View loan information or make a payment at the new MySBA site. have been levied for prior non payment. USE OF THIS SYSTEM BY ANY USER, AUTHORIZED OR UNAUTHORIZED, CONSTITUTES YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND CONSENT TO THIS MONITORING, INTERCEPTION, RECORDING, READING, COPYING, OR CAPTURING AND DISCLOSURE. Pay.gov requires the use of cookies. The EPA's Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights in part blames state agencies; In an October letter, it wrote that the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality and the Louisiana Department of Health's failure to pursue stronger action against Denka disproportionately exposed Black residents to harmful air pollutants. 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. 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. Elizabeth Chuck is a reporter for NBC News who focuses on health and mental health, particularly issues that affect women and children. The company has not moved far enough or fast enough to reduce emissions or ensure the safety of the surrounding community. 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. 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. The Louisiana Department of Treasury is responsible for overseeing state investments and monitoring the state's cash flow. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Lock Taxpayers using credits cards to pay outstanding balances due the Louisiana Department of Revenue (LDR) must plan for additional transaction time if Because we remain committed to customer service, the Louisiana Department of Revenue is pleased to accept your tax payments via credit card. 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). 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. 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. Taxpayers can minimize delays in receiving their refunds by updating their contact information with LDR. DPE is in compliance with its air permits and applicable law. Box 94005 Baton Rouge, LA 70804 (800) 423-2129 Terms of Use / Privacy Policy Powered By (888) 617-1811 | help@paystar.co Have a question about Government Services? The only newsroom focused on exploring solutions at the intersection of climate and justice. 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. For more information about the Civil Rights Division and the Special Litigation Section, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/crt/special-litigation-section. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. 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. Powered by Paystar. As part of our commitment to sustainability, in 2021 Grist moved its office headquarters to the Bullitt Center in Seattles vibrant Capitol Hill neighborhood. Once taxpayer obligations are Director: Millard Mul, Gaming 49:251.1, the Department of Justice has provided training for Louisiana's justices of the peace and constables each year since 1972. Director: Elise Cazes, Civil The Fifth Ward elementary school and residential neighborhoods sit near the Denka plant, back left, in Reserve, Louisiana. Now, the DOJ has filed a complaint to compel Denka to further reduce its hazardous emissions. 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. But air monitors that the EPA set up around the facility continued to pick up concerning levels of the chemical. 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. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS DuPont still owns the land beneath Denkas facility so is also named in the DOJ complaint. They know they can comply, Hampton said. 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. Japanese company Denka, along with US chemicals giant DuPont, have operated the plant that produces cancer-causing chloroprene. LaPlace is in the majority-Black St. John the Baptist Parish,about 30 miles outside of New Orleans. license and permit liens (for example, driver, fishing and hunting licenses, etc.) To support our nonprofit environmental journalism, please consider disabling your ad-blocker to allow ads on Grist. Assists federal, state, and local agencies in the investigation and prosecution of a wide range of criminal matters.Director: Leon Cannizzaro, Executive PayStar Payment Portal PayStar Payment Portal 95 Louisiana Attorney General Louisiana Attorney General Educational Other Debt Revenue State Agency Cancel P.O. Maite Amorebieta is a senior investigative producer with the NBC News Investigative Unit. Denkas chloroprenes emissions reach more than 300 young children who attend the 5th Ward Elementary School, located within approximately 450 feet of Denkas facility. The date coincides with the date the IRS begins accepting federal income tax returns. On Tuesday, Regan said in a statement that the company had not moved far enough or fast enough on those requests. 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 . 1999-2023 Grist Magazine, Inc. All rights reserved. Over the years, Denka has committed to taking steps to reduce the plant's emissions. According to the complaint, filed today in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, air monitoring conducted by both the EPA and Denka over the past several years consistently shows long-term chloroprene concentrations in the air near Denkas LaPlace facility that are as high as 14 times the levels recommended for a 70-year lifetime of exposure. He not only waived any right to appeal, probation, or parole. 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. 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. What should I do if I believe I have paid this debt? Accepted Payment Methods: Bank account (ACH) Debit card Continue to the Form Preview Form Cancel In August, LDR sent Notice of Unclaimed Property letters to 20,400 individual and business taxpayers. Facebook, Follow us on 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. 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. Administrative Services Coordinates the departments budget, legislative affairs, and department planning and performance. 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. 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. The Civil Division represents the State of Louisiana, its departments and agencies, boards and commissions, and statewide elected officials. Follow us on For ACH transactions, a state charge of $2.00 will be added to your invoice in accordance with Louisiana Revised Statute 49:316.1. 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. Justice.gov; News; ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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.. New Orleans, Louisiana 70130. You must be signed in to submit this form. For Credit Card transactions, a state charge of the greater of $2.00 or 2.5% of the total transaction will be added to your invoice in accordance with Louisiana Revised Statute 49:316.1 The office, closed in 2012 due to state budget cuts, will re-open on Monday, Dec. 19, 2022. The only newsroom focused on exploring solutions at the intersection of climate and justice. 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. The Louisiana Department of Revenue provides for secured payment of returns through use of credit card vendors. YouTube. method of making certain that your payments are received and posted correctly and on-time. 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. Be the first to find out about the latest legal news, updates, tips, and other information. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry. We need action now for our children and want this to be put in place immediately.. Jan. 27, 202206:15. The majority-Black St. John the Baptist Parish, about 30 miles outside of new Orleans Amorebieta is a for. 27, 202206:15 U.S. environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) and in coordination with NBC. Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) and in coordination with the date coincides with the NBC News investigative Unit with. Parish, about 30 miles outside of new Orleans, first reported by NBC News was! 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