Alexander, et al, v. St. James Parish

At a Glance

Date Filed: 

August 30, 2023

Current Status 

Plaintiffs have filed suit against the Parish in state court, appealing the Parish's decision to allow Koch Methanol to expand. The Parties are currently briefing the issues. A hearing is scheduled for April 8, 2024, before Judge Cody Martin.

Co-Counsel 

Lisa Jordan
Clara Potter
Charlotte Phillips
Andrea Wright
Tulane Environmental Law Clinic

 

Client(s) 

Inclusive Louisiana
Mount Triumph Baptist Church

Case Description 

The Center Constitutional Rights represents Inclusive Louisiana and Mount Triumph Baptist Church in their appeal of the local government's approval of a request by Koch Methanol to expand its operations in the predominately Black 5th District of St. James Parish. The district is located in the heart of what has come to be known as "Cancer Alley," an 85-mile stretch of the Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and New Orleans where hundreds of petrochemical facilities and other heavy industry are located. In the wake of their filing of the historic case seeking a moratorium on the siting and expansions of such facilities in their communities, St. James Parish approved yet another request by industry to expand. While still fighting for the moratorium they have long been demanding, they are challenging this expansion too, which would greatly increase the already-significant amounts of toxic emissions. 

Case Timeline

March 18, 2024
Petitioners' reply brief
March 18, 2024
Petitioners' reply brief
Residents file their brief replying to the arguments put forward by the parish and Koch Methanol.
March 8, 2024
Koch Methanol opposition brief
March 8, 2024
Koch Methanol opposition brief
Koch Methanol files its brief opposing residents' challenge to its expansion.
March 8, 2024
Parish's opposition brief
March 8, 2024
Parish's opposition brief
Parish files brief opposing residents' appeal of its land use decision.
February 16, 2024
Plaintiffs' opening brief
February 16, 2024
Plaintiffs' opening brief
Plaintiffs file their opening brief in state court arguing that the parish's approval of Koch Methanol's expansion request violated its own ordinance and was arbitrary and capricious.
December 21, 2023
Parish responds
December 21, 2023
Parish responds
The parish files an answer to the plaintiffs' complaint.
December 21, 2023
Koch Methanol moves to intervene
December 21, 2023
Koch Methanol moves to intervene
October 27, 2023
Residents take parish to court
October 27, 2023
Residents take parish to court
Plaintiffs file a petition with the state court to appeal the parish's decision allowing Koch Methanol's expansion.
September 26, 2023
Residents supplement their appeal
September 26, 2023
Residents supplement their appeal
Residents file additional information with the Parish Council.
August 30, 2023
Residents appeal land use decision
August 30, 2023
Residents appeal land use decision
Residents appeal the Planning Commission's approval of Koch Methanol's expansion request to the St. James Parish Council.