Wood pellet production has skyrocketed across the southern United States
to feed the European Unions push for renewable energy,
but those who live near manufacturing sites believe the plants
make their air dustier and residents sick.
Lifelong Gloucester resident Sheila Dobbins used to live steps from
the Drax biomass entrance.
I have the bath with this on me.
The only time I take it off is when I'm
I'm replacing the tubing.
I can't go without it.
She says her asthma was manageable before Drax began operations
in 2016,
but now blames Drax for the decline in health for
her and her loved ones.
It's not a coincidence that all these people on this
road.
That I lived at home.
Died with oxygen Nosebleed Sound of problem cancer Die Addison
Is something is going on?
We have not received any evidence that we have created
any community health impacts.
An independent third party analysis found that our Gloucester facilities
air toxics have no adverse effects on human health.
In 2020, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality find DREX
$2.5 million.
For violating emissions limits, they've since received multiple warnings for
the same violations.
Drex says it's a permitting issue.
In 2021, Drax installed new technology to help manage those
additional emissions,
and we've applied for a permit revision.
Environmentalists questioned the classification of biomass as renewable energy,
even though the industry argues that replanting trees will eventually
absorb carbon produced burning pellets.
Scientific studies have found firing wood pellets puts more carbon
immediately into the atmosphere than coal.
Yes, six violations. Crystal Martin with the Greater Greener Gloucester
Project is leading the fight against Drex in her hometown.
My family live here, so it's very important to me
to be here to help in this effort.
For me, it's all about the health of the people.
She says the majority black town of about 1000 doesn't
have the medical resources for those with illnesses.
We have a lot of healthcare issues,
but we have no medical doctor.
We have a lot of people in this community.
Live in poverty, but they don't have the means and
resources to keep running back and forth to the doctor's
office.
We want to make sure that Drax is held accountable
for what they're doing to the people in our community.