October 21, 2021
Stop Formosa Plastics Petrochemical Plant in Cancer Alley!
Formosa Plastics is trying to build a massive 14-facility petrochemical complex in Louisiana. Formosa Plastics has such a terrible environmental record that it can’t continue building in Taiwan, where it is headquartered. But now it’s trying to expand its operations in St. James Parish, Louisiana a majority-Black community, dubbed “Cancer Alley” because people are already dying at a rate 50 times higher than the national average – in large part due to pollution. The company’s Sunshine Project has become one of the country’s most egregious examples of environmental racism.
Thanks to local groups like RISE St. James, last month the Army Corps of Engineers ordered Formosa Plastics to conduct a full environmental impact statement before granting permits for the project. This announcement is great news because it buys opponents of the project time to make sure Formosa Plastics and other companies that want to profit from this project back off for good. That includes big banks, who will be critical players. Bank of America is Formosa Plastics’ most important US bank. It helped the company sell $1 billion of bonds back in 2015, making it Formosa Plastics’ most likely US partner to help raise money for this giant new petrochemical complex. With a giant $12 billion price tag, Formosa Plastics won’t be able to build the Sunshine project without them.
Click here to send a message to Bank of America urging them to denounce environmental racism and refuse to fund the Sunshine project.
Did you know ...?
The South Oakland Vicariate Peace and Justice Committee will host an event this Sunday, Oct. 24 from 2-4 p.m. entitled, “Climate Emergency: How Do We Respond as People of Faith?” at St. Thomas More Parish (4580 Adams Rd.) in Troy. The event will feature youth who are active with the Johnson Nature Center, Bloomfield Hills. They will discuss their climate concerns and choices for action. Then, Fr. Charles Morris, assistant professor at Madonna University and founder of Michigan Interfaith Power & Light, will speak specifically about the Laudato Si Action Platform. Click here for a flyer.