Mississippi Board to Rehear Drax Plant Emissions Appeal Amid Health Concerns
The Mississippi Environmental Quality Permit Board will revisit its decision regarding biomass manufacturer Drax’s proposed expansion in Gloster, Mississippi, potentially impacting air quality and public health in the predominantly Black community.
The board will reassess whether to allow Drax to reclassify its Gloster plant as a “major” source of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) at a public meeting on Tuesday, October 14th. Residents have long alleged the facility’s emissions contribute to worsening air quality and health problems. The initial request was denied in April, with the board requesting further emissions curtailment, but Drax subsequently filed an appeal. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for similar facilities operating in the region.
Legal experts and advocates urged the board to uphold its previous ruling during a press conference yesterday, warning that approving the reclassification would allow Drax to release more pollutants. “Drax must be held accountable,” stated Allison Brouk, a senior attorney at Earthjustice. “The residents of Gloster will not accept more pollution, more broken promises or more health risks in exchange for corporate convenience.” Drax, which manufactures compressed wood pellets for electricity generation, has repeatedly violated its operating permits since opening the Gloster plant in 2016, including a $2.5 million Clean Air Act penalty in 2021 – one of the largest in state history. The company maintains that the new permits would allow for more stringent monitoring and controls.
Drax spokesperson Michelli Martin stated in an email that failing to approve the new permit would have “significant” economic consequences for Gloster, Amite County, and Mississippi. Residents and advocacy groups, including Dogwood Alliance, plan to rally in Jackson on Tuesday morning to support the Gloster community and share experiences with industrial pollution from other wood pellet facilities. Krystal Martin, founder of Greater Greener Gloster, emphasized the community’s desire for clean air and protection from pollution, stating, “We are Mississippians, and we deserve clean air and real protection from pollution.”
The permit board could issue a decision at the hearing or deliver written findings at a later date, with any subsequent appeals heading to state chancery court.
