In a significant shift, the Trump administration is set to drop a federal lawsuit against Denka Performance Elastomer, a synthetic rubber manufacturer accused of contributing to cancer risks in a predominantly Black community near its Louisiana plant. According to multiple sources familiar with the matter, this move would undo a key initiative by the Biden administration aimed at tackling environmental injustice.
The lawsuit, filed in early 2023 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under Biden, accused Denka of releasing high levels of chloroprene—a chemical linked to cancer—into the surrounding environment. The community in question, located near LaPlace, Louisiana, has been grappling with severe pollution from the plant, which has been in operation for over a decade. The suit demanded a reduction in emissions from the facility, which produces neoprene, a synthetic rubber used in products like wetsuits and laptop sleeves.
The decision to drop the lawsuit marks a departure from the Biden administration’s aggressive stance on environmental justice, which sought to address the disproportionate environmental burdens placed on marginalized communities. Under President Biden, the EPA made it a priority to hold corporations accountable for pollution that negatively affects low-income and minority populations. However, sources confirm that the Trump administration is now reversing this effort, opting to alleviate legal pressure on Denka and allowing the plant to continue operations without further scrutiny.
Environmental experts have voiced concerns that this decision prioritizes the interests of large corporations over the health and safety of local communities. David Uhlmann, a former EPA official under Biden, criticized the move, accusing the Trump administration of disregarding public health to protect a powerful multinational corporation. He argued that the Trump administration’s choice to drop the lawsuit disregarded the long-term health risks faced by families and children exposed to chloroprene pollution.
The decision is also seen as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to undo key environmental protections put in place during Biden’s tenure. These efforts include placing hundreds of environmental justice staffers on administrative leave and scaling back the federal government’s regulatory role in tackling industrial pollution.
The Denka plant, which was acquired by the Japanese company Denka in 2015, is located in Louisiana’s “Cancer Alley,” a region infamous for its high incidence of cancer linked to industrial pollution. The area, which stretches from New Orleans to Baton Rouge, is home to over 200 petrochemical plants, making it one of the most polluted industrial corridors in the United States. Environmental advocates and residents have long pushed for stronger action to mitigate the harmful health impacts of living near such facilities.
Despite Denka’s claims of having reduced emissions since purchasing the plant, local advocates argue that these measures are insufficient and that the risks to public health remain unacceptably high. Long-term monitoring of the air around the plant has shown chloroprene levels up to 15 times the recommended limit for long-term exposure, raising alarms among public health experts.
Robert Taylor, a local advocate, expressed his dismay over the decision to abandon the lawsuit, calling it a setback for the community’s ongoing fight for environmental justice. He highlighted the contrast between the current administration’s decision and the progress made under the previous administration in addressing the plant’s pollution. Taylor emphasized that the community’s hopes for improved living conditions are now further diminished.
As the Trump administration prepares to officially drop the lawsuit, the move is expected to draw significant criticism from environmental groups and advocates for communities disproportionately affected by industrial pollution. The ongoing debate over the balance between economic development and environmental protection remains a critical issue for policymakers and residents in the region.
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