About the Issues

The fossil fuel industry is threatened by global markets transitioning towards renewable and clean energy adoption. They’re scrambling to keep profits high and shareholders happy and they’re betting on the production and proliferation of petrochemicals to make it happen. Petrochemicals are harmful toxic compounds made from oil and gas that are used primarily to make plastics, industrial chemicals and pesticides. Petrochemical plants are poisonous and destructive, and if the fossil fuel industry succeeds at forging and expanding into this new frontier the damage done will be devastating.

The industry is planning a massive build out of petrochemical plants in the U.S. and intends to build many of these facilities in low-income communities of color, just like St. James, that are already disproportionately affected by legacy pollution and environmental injustice. We can’t let that happen. The proliferation of petrochemicals will exacerbate the climate crisis, impact the health and safety of fenceline communities and can only be made possible because of practices of environmental injustice and political inaction, collusion and corruption.

Climate Change

Petrochemical production is a major contributor to the emissions that cause global warming and fuel and accelerate climate change. The proliferation of petrochemical production will undo climate progress, impede climate action and make it almost impossible for the U.S. to meet its long term climate goals.

Public Health & Safety

Exposure to petrochemical facility emissions poses serious health risks to adjacent fenceline communities. The release of these toxic byproducts, which include known carcinogens, contaminate the surrounding air, water and soil and, in addition to cancer, can cause skin irritation, respiratory disease, neurological disorders and birth defects.

Environmental Injustice

The development of petrochemical facilities in and around residential communities can lead to displacement, changes in land use, loss of community cohesion, cultural disruption and economic hardships. The fossil fuel industry knows that petrochemical facilities present a direct threat to surrounding environments. And that’s precisely why it targets communities of color that lack the agency and the ability to fight back due to deeply entrenched institutional racism and unrepresentative and ill-intended elective officials. 

Industry Corruption

Second to its massive profits, the fossil fuel industry is perhaps most famous for its corruption. The industry has long been associated with bribery and well funded expertly executed propaganda campaigns.  It’s behaving no differently as it attempts to expand petrochemical markets. In St. James and communities like it across the country, the fossil fuel industry is working tirelessly to peddle lies and disinformation to residents about the environmental, public health and economic impacts of petrochemical proliferation. And they’re doing so hand-in-hand with industry-friendly local elected officials.