The complaint, first reported by NBC News, was filed Tuesday in the U.S. District . 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. outreach programs, community resources, and victim-witness services. The office, closed in 2012 due to state budget cuts, will re-open on Monday, Dec. 19, 2022. Official websites use .gov The Monroe Regional Office will be open for walk-in customer service Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., no appointments needed. St. Charles Parish Waterworks Water Bill Redirecting to account lookup page. Please review our privacy policy Email: ConstituentServices@ag.louisiana.gov. WELCOME to the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Denka Performance Elastomer LLC makes synthetic rubber, emitting the carcinogen chloroprene, in such high . The only newsroom focused on exploring solutions at the intersection of climate and justice. In total, those changes have cost more than $35 million, the company said in its statement. Sure, some folks love to use the mail. For paper returns, the refund processing time is up to 14 weeks. The action raises the stakes in a longstanding conflict between the Louisiana plant, nearby residents and the Environmental Protection Agency. NOTE: Fees and fines imposed by the licensing agency that are applicable to the reinstatement of the suspended or revoked license/permit This will have a tremendous impact on our struggle here, said Robert Taylor, a founder of Concerned Citizens of St John Parish. Deena Tumeh, an attorney at the environmental watchdog Earthjustice, said in a statement that the complaint is a long-awaited answer to the communitys repeated calls for immediate action. The US justice department has sued the two petrochemical giants behind a facility in Louisianas Cancer Alley responsible for the highest cancer risk rates caused by air pollution in the US in a major federal lawsuit that seeks to substantially curb the plants emissions. The agency is now under a court order to get it done. Your Address, Corporation Income/Franchise Extension Request. Director: Mike Dupree. WASHINGTON - Today, on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and in coordination with the U.S. Attorney's 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 . Terms of Use | Privacy Policy. Jan. 27, 202206:15. Separately, the two groups sued the EPA for missing a deadline to update its regulations for neoprene manufacturing plants. 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 . An official website of the United States government. YouTube. In November 2021, EPA Administrator Michael Regan visited people living near the facility during his Journey to Justice tour, a survey of polluted communities across the south. 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. Oversees all departmentoperations. Denkas facility, owned by a Japanese company of the same name, was previously a DuPont petrochemical plant. BATON ROUGE The Louisiana Department of Revenue will begin accepting 2022 state individual income tax returns on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. Be the first to find out about the latest legal news, updates, tips, and other information. licenses and permits previously issued to taxpayers that have failed to meet their tax obligations. Now, the DOJ has filed a complaint to compel Denka to further reduce its hazardous emissions. 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. Fairs, Festivals, and Other Special Events, The Importance of Protecting Client Tax Information, 2022 Practitioner Tax Update Seminar Schedule, Louisiana state income tax filing begins Monday, Jan. 23Continue Reading, Louisiana Department of Revenue to re-open Monroe regional officeContinue Reading, Deadline approaching to claim state tax refunds before they move to Unclaimed PropertyContinue Reading, Prepaid Wireless Telecommunications 911 Service Charge, Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority Food and Beverage Tax, Louisiana Sales and Use Tax Commission for Remote Sellers Agenda, Notice of Public Comment Period Act 685 of the 2022 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature, Louisiana Sales and Use Tax Commission for Remote Sellers Agenda January 12, 2023, Update 1-877-297-0995 constituentservices@ag.louisiana.gov MENU Home About Divisions News Resources Collections Contact Search Protecting Innocence This form needs Javascript to display, which your browser doesn't support. DO NOT USE THIS FORM FOR CRIMINAL PAYMENTS. Mallett earned her bachelor's degree from Louisiana State University and her law degree from Loyola . Now, the DOJ has filed a complaint to compel Denka to further reduce its hazardous emissions. The Civil Division represents the State of Louisiana, its departments and agencies, boards and commissions, and statewide elected officials. A lock ( 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. "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.". Our suit aims to stop Denkas dangerous pollution.. method of making certain that your payments are received and posted correctly and on-time. An official website of the United States government. 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. 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 . 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. System personnel may give to law enforcement officials any potential evidence of crime found on U.S. Government information systems. The Louisiana Department of Treasury is responsible for overseeing state investments and monitoring the state's cash flow. Last January, the environmental watchdog Earthjustice, on behalf of the local advocacy group Concerned Citizens of St. John and the Sierra Club, filed a civil rights complaint with the EPA against Louisianas health department and environmental agency for subjecting Black residents of St. John to disproportionate air pollution from numerous industrial facilities, including Denka. 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). Box 94005 Baton Rouge, LA 70804 (800) 423-2129 Terms of Use / Privacy Policy Powered By (888) 617-1811 | help@paystar.co PayStar Payment Portal PayStar Payment Portal 95 Louisiana Attorney General Louisiana Attorney General Educational Other Debt Revenue State Agency Cancel P.O. If you have moved or changed your name since your last tax filing, update your contact information at www.revenue.louisiana.gov/AddressChange. Director: Sonia Mallett, Public Protection 49:251.1, the Department of Justice has provided training for Louisiana's justices of the peace and constables each year since 1972. If you received one of the letters but havent responded yet, simply complete and return the attached voucher to LDR. St. Charles Parish Waterworks 301 Third Street Luling, LA 70070 985-783-5110 http://stcharlesparish-la.gov/ Need Help Paying? Director: Chris Hebert, Louisiana Bureau of Investigation 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. Official websites use .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. EPA administrator gives update on commitment to curbing pollution in communities of color. Member Address Seat Information; Landry, Jeffrey M. "Jeff" 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. for more information. The date coincides with the date the IRS begins accepting federal income tax returns. The Louisiana Department of Revenue recently began a cooperative project with all other state agencies that provides for suspension and revocation of 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. The plant is one of many that activists argue puts undue health risks on Black communities in the area. transactions of this sort, is completed through third part vendors (Official Payments Corp. and Payment Tech, Inc.). ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. And either they use their money and do it right or face the power of the EPA., Cancer and chemicals in Reserve, Louisiana: the science explained, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. 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. EPA administrator Michael Regan said in a statement that he had promised strong action for community members during a site visit to Reserve in November 2021. But on-site inspections by the EPA in April and May 2022 found that Denkawas not meeting regulatory requirements for the storage and disposal of chloroprene waste, which contributes to emissions of chloroprene from the plant. Its complicated. 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. The company has been lobbying the federal government for years, claiming the compounds peer-reviewed classification is based on outdated science. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Pay.gov is a program of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Bureau of the Fiscal Service. 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 . So far, approximately 4,000 have responded to claim their refunds. 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. State of Louisiana Department of Justice c/o Constituent Services P. O. 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. 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., We allege that Denkas emissions have led to unsafe concentrations of carcinogenic chloroprene near homes and schools in St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana, said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. The Denka Performance Elastomer Plant in Louisiana. 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. Custom payment integrations and software development. The air samples were taken at or across the street from a nearby elementary school. According to EPA calculations, emissions from the former DuPont plant, now owned by Denka, present a risk that is especially grave for children. 0:00 / 3:50. Taxpayers using credits cards to pay outstanding balances due the Louisiana Department of Revenue (LDR) must plan for additional transaction time if He not only waived any right to appeal, probation, or parole. are NOT included in the balance due to LDR. 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. In August, LDR sent Notice of Unclaimed Property letters to 20,400 individual and business taxpayers. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Assists federal, state, and local agencies in the investigation and prosecution of a wide range of criminal matters.Director: Leon Cannizzaro, Executive Services include: The office is located in the Northeast Louisiana State Office Building at 24 Accent Drive, Suite B500, Monroe, LA 71203. 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 Department of Justice ag.louisiana.gov 1885 N. Third St. Baton Rouge, LA 70802 225.326.6079 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 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. 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. Accepted Payment Methods: Bank account (ACH) Debit card Continue to the Form Preview Form Cancel The Fifth Ward elementary school and residential neighborhoods sit near the Denka plant, back left, in Reserve, Louisiana. Grist is powered by WordPress VIP. Executive Department: Louisiana Public Defender Board: Darrilyn Favorite: Karen Smith: 124: 01-124: Executive Department: Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District: Darrilyn Favorite: Karen Smith: 129: 01-129: Executive Department: Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement & Administration of Criminal Justice: Emily VanNatta: Karen Smith: 130: 03 . 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. 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. They know they can comply, Hampton said. Director: Joe Picone More A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. For more information about the Civil Rights Division and the Special Litigation Section, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/crt/special-litigation-section. Provides legal representation to the State, its agencies, and its employees in all tort claims seeking damages and defends claims managed by the ORM or any post-secondary education institution granted an exemption from the States risk management program. The division also initiates litigation to enforce various state laws, including, for example, the master settlement agreement against the nations largest tobacco manufacturers. 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