Sheila Mae Dobbins, a resident of Gloster, Mississippi, embodies the struggles faced by many in her community. Since the establishment of a wood pellet plant nearby in 2014, Dobbins and her neighbors have endured a significant decline in their quality of life, marked by health crises and environmental degradation. Dobbins, who relies on an oxygen tank due to chronic respiratory issues, recalls the harrowing experience of being hospitalized while her husband battled his own health challenges. Tragically, he passed away in 2017, a loss compounded by the stress of living near a facility that was supposed to bring economic revitalization but instead brought pollution and health risks.
The Drax Group, a U.K.-based energy company, operates the plant, which was initially marketed as a boon for local employment and renewable energy production. However, the reality has been starkly different. Instead of the promised hundreds of jobs and economic benefits, the facility employs only a handful of locals, with its wood pellets primarily exported to the U.K. for energy generation. Residents have reported deteriorating air quality, with the plant being fined multiple times for exceeding pollution limits. In 2020, it faced a $2.5 million penalty for breaching legal air quality standards, and recent reports indicate ongoing violations, including a six-figure fine this month.
The situation in Gloster is not unique. Drax operates several pellet mills across the U.S. and Canada, and investigations have revealed numerous violations of environmental laws. A previous study by Land and Climate Review highlighted 189 violations at Drax’s Canadian mills, primarily related to air pollution. The company’s operations have drawn criticism from environmentalists and scientists who argue that the U.K. power plant is now more carbon-intensive than when it burned coal, undermining the supposed environmental benefits of biomass energy.
Residents like Myrtis Woodard and Debra Butler echo Dobbins’ concerns, describing their struggles with respiratory conditions exacerbated by the plant’s emissions. Woodard states, “It was better before that mill came. We can’t come outside; the air is so bad.” Butler, who has seen her health deteriorate since the plant’s opening, now requires multiple inhalers to manage her asthma and other conditions. The community’s overall health is further compromised by high poverty rates and limited access to healthcare in Mississippi, which ranks poorly in national health statistics.
Research from Brown University has revealed alarming findings about air quality in Gloster. A study led by Erica Walker found that pollutant concentrations in Gloster are significantly higher than in a nearby town without a wood pellet mill. The study indicates that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are particularly concerning, as they can lead to both short-term health issues and long-term risks, including cancer. Walker’s research highlights a troubling pattern of “opportunistic dumping,” where emissions spike at night, raising questions about the adequacy of current regulatory monitoring practices.
Drax has denied any adverse health impacts from its operations, citing an independent analysis that purportedly found no harmful effects. However, the company has not disclosed the name of the consulting firm responsible for this analysis, leaving residents skeptical. The lack of transparency and ongoing health issues have fueled community activism, with local groups like Greater Greener Gloster advocating for cleaner air and accountability from Drax.
The environmental implications of Drax’s operations extend beyond Gloster. The company is actively pursuing new projects in Washington state and California, raising concerns among local communities about the potential for similar health and environmental issues. In Longview, Washington, where Drax plans to build a new pellet mill, residents are already wary, having witnessed the negative impacts of the wood pellet industry in the Southeast. Drax’s initial air permit application for the Longview project significantly underestimated emissions, prompting alarm from environmental experts.
In California, Drax has signed onto a forest resiliency initiative that aims to mitigate wildfire risks by building two new pellet mills. However, local activists are concerned that this initiative may mirror the problems faced by communities in the Southeast, where Drax has faced numerous regulatory violations. Critics argue that the focus on profitability may overshadow genuine environmental and community health concerns.
The broader implications of Drax’s operations are evident in the ongoing debate about biomass energy and its role in the transition to renewable energy. While Drax claims its practices contribute to forest management and job creation, environmentalists contend that the carbon accounting methods used to justify biomass as a renewable energy source are flawed. Critics argue that the Kyoto Protocol’s rules, which allow emissions to be counted only where trees are harvested rather than where they are burned, create a loophole that undermines efforts to combat climate change.
As Drax seeks to expand its operations in the U.S., the company faces increasing scrutiny from both environmental advocates and policymakers. The U.S. Treasury’s proposed regulations on clean energy tax credits could significantly impact Drax’s plans, especially if they are tied to the controversial carbon accounting rules that have allowed the company to report its emissions as zero in the U.K.
The future of biomass energy in the U.S. remains uncertain, with growing calls from lawmakers and environmental groups for reform. Recent initiatives, including an EPA investigation into the health impacts of wood pellet plants, signal a potential shift in how biomass energy is regulated and perceived. As communities like Gloster continue to bear the brunt of Drax’s operations, the need for accountability and sustainable practices in the biomass industry has never been more urgent.