Serves as legal advisor and legal representative to all Louisiana gaming regulatory agencies. DuPont still owns the land beneath Denkas facility so is also named in the DOJ complaint. 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. Official websites use .gov WELCOMEto the United States Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana. They know they can comply, Hampton said. 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. Denka said in a statement that it has reduced emissions by about 85% since it took over the plant in 2015. Contact: dcfs.louisiana.gov 627 N. Fourth St. Baton Rouge, LA 70802 225.524.3578 About the Agency. As part of our commitment to sustainability, in 2021 Grist moved its office headquarters to the Bullitt Center in Seattles vibrant Capitol Hill neighborhood. Box 94005 Baton Rouge, LA 70804 (800) 423-2129 Terms of Use / Privacy Policy Powered By (888) 617-1811 | help@paystar.co The date coincides with the date the IRS begins accepting federal income tax returns. 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. This action is not the first step we have taken to reduce risks to the people living in St John the Baptist Parish, and it will not be the last.. An official website of the United States government. Now, making a payment is as easy as visiting our website or picking up the phone and dialing. 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 . met, within 72 hours, LDR will notify and authorize the issuing state agencies to remove such liens. BATON ROUGE The Louisiana Department of Revenue (LDR) will resume full walk-in customer service for individual and business taxpayers in northeast Louisiana with the re-opening of the LDR Monroe Regional Office. payment processing to be completed within 3 or 4 business days of the transaction. 2021 Recap Video. Taxpayers using credits cards to pay outstanding balances due the Louisiana Department of Revenue (LDR) must plan for additional transaction time if Jan. 27, 202206:15. The justice department complaint does not directly specify that Denka should reduce its emissions to the 0.2 micrograms lifetime exposure recommendation, but cites the guidance throughout the complaint. Chloroprene is a liquid raw material used to produce neoprene and is emitted into the air from various areas at the facility. On Jan. 23, taxpayers can begin filing their state income tax returns electronically through Louisiana File Online, the states free web portal for individual tax filers. Note: This system may contain Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU) data that requires specific data privacy handling. 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 state's natural resources, lands and water . In particular, he expressed concern for the 300 students attending the nearby Fifth Ward Elementary School. The EPA's Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights in part blames state agencies; In an October letter, it wrote that the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality and the Louisiana Department of Health's failure to pursue stronger action against Denka disproportionately exposed Black residents to harmful air pollutants. Facebook, Follow us on ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Please update your browser to ensure your payment is secure. Louisianas Department of Environmental Quality reached an agreement with Denka requiring the company to install pollution controls in 2017. Please review our privacy policy Pursuant to LA R.S. Pay.gov is a program of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Bureau of the Fiscal Service. 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. Even when Denka's facility was shut down for a month in September 2021 after Hurricane Ida, a small monitoring demonstration test by the Louisiana State University School of Public Health revealed detectable levels of chloroprene in two out of 10 air samples, according to the researchers. Official websites use .gov 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 . The treasurer also serves as chairman of the State Bond Commission, which centralizes and administers state debt. The action raises the stakes in a longstanding conflict between the Louisiana plant, nearby residents and the Environmental Protection Agency. The Justice Departments 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 endangerment to the publics health. Your Address, Corporation Income/Franchise Extension Request, File returns and pay taxes electronically, Check the status of individual income tax refunds, Submitting completed state individual income tax returns and making payments (staff cannot assist with the completion of tax returns), ATC/Video Poker/Lottery/Drivers License/Wildlife & Fisheries tax clearances, Resolving bank levies and wage garnishments. Mary Hampton, another founder of Concerned Citizens of St John Parish, said the lawsuit was the culmination of years of advocacy from community members and represented that finally we have a little hope. Your support keeps our unbiased, nonprofit news free. She also served as Executive Counsel to Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System and practiced law with a Baton Rouge firm. Be the first to find out about the latest legal news, updates, tips, and other information. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. You may also email request to: ODRPaymentPlan@LA.Gov Be sure to include Name, Debtor # and a Call Back Number. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy. Your dealings with us should be as quick and painless as possible. It was part of the Biden administrations effort to spotlight concerns of environmental justice, a term that refers to the disproportionate pollution borne by so many low income communities of color across the country. Services include: The office is located in the Northeast Louisiana State Office Building at 24 Accent Drive, Suite B500, Monroe, LA 71203. ART4: 8 &13 R.S. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Director: Millard Mul, Gaming Mallett earned her bachelor's degree from Louisiana State University and her law degree from Loyola . Maite Amorebieta is a senior investigative producer with the NBC News Investigative Unit. Lock Disaster Fraud Hotline: Report fraud related to natural and man-made disasters, Felon Sentenced to 65 Months for Federal Gun Charge, Florida Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possession With Intent to Distribute a Quantity of Methamphetamine, Dr. Charles J. Southall, III Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison for Money Laundering, Obtaining Over $889,000 Through Fraud, New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy, Carjacking, and Weapons Violations, Honduran National Indicted for Illegal Re-Entry. & authorize PayStar to process this payment along with the service fee of $0.00 which will also be charged to the credit/debit card. The company has been lobbying the federal government for years, claiming the compounds peer-reviewed classification is based on outdated science. The lawyers and staff in our office work hard every day to defend our national security, improve the safety and quality of life in . Suing on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the justice department is now seeking a federal court order to compel Denka (DPE), the Japanese chemical giant operating the facility, to immediately take all necessary measures to curb emissions of the compound chloroprene, labeled by the EPA as a likely human carcinogen. For more information about the Civil Rights Division and the Special Litigation Section, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/crt/special-litigation-section. 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, said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. The re-opening of the office provides the area with a vital resource for the resolution of a wide range of state tax matters, in addition to any business they might have with the Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control, which will have staff assigned there.. Custom payment integrations and software development. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Payment Processing for utilities, government, businesses. In a statement Tuesday, EPA Administrator Michael Regan said the Justice Department's move followed his pledge to take strong action for communities living near the plant. 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. Twitter, Follow us on Be the first to find out about the latest legal news, updates, tips, and other information. An official website of the United States government. The agency is now under a court order to get it done. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS If you have any questions call the DOJ Consolidated Debt Collection System (CDCS) Help Desk at 1-800-683-6567. 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. DuPont is a necessary party to ensure there are no delays in any actions that Denka is ordered to take to reduce its chloroprene emissions as a result of the rights DuPont holds under its lease agreement with Denka. DuPont remains the owner of the land beneath Denkas facility and acts as a landlord, according to the complaint, meaning DuPont may need to grant permissions in order for emissions to be reduced. We need action now for our children and want this to be put in place immediately.. Should funds be transmitted by these vendors Kindly keep in mind that although your credit card transaction will post to your credit card statement upon payment, this processing, like other electronic Director: Joe Picone, Litigation The EPAidentifiedchloroprene as a likely human carcinogen in 2010. YouTube. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Hampton urged both Denka and DuPont to comply with the federal governments demands set forth in the lawsuit. ContractforProfessionalLegalServicesTemplate.pdf, GuidetoLAJPCourts2ndEdition9.28.2021forweb.pdf, AmendedOpenMeetingsGuidanceinlightofCOVID-19andtherecentpassageofR.S.4217.1.pdf. Official websites use .gov 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 . The Denka Performance Elastomer Plant in Louisiana. The complaint also names DuPont Specialty Products USA LLC the owner of the land beneath Denkas facility and Denkas landlord. The Civil Division issues written legal opinions to the governor, the state auditor, the state treasurer, state boards, agencies and commissions, the district attorneys of the state, and parish and municipal governing authorities. These payments must be made to your U. S. District Court Clerks Office. outreach programs, community resources, and victim-witness services. Denkas facility, owned by a Japanese company of the same name, was previously a DuPont petrochemical plant. Denka's facility is along a stretch of the Mississippi River that activists and residents have nicknamed "Cancer Alley" because of the unusually high cancer risk among communities there and the emissions that come from the numerous plants in the area. The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services works to keep children safe, helps individuals and families become self-sufficient and operates shelters during disasters. These payments must be made to your U. S. District Court Clerks Office. A locked padlock Provides legal services to the statein the areas of consumer protection and environmental law, insurance receivership, and fair housing. He not only waived any right to appeal, probation, or parole. The Civil Division represents the State of Louisiana, its departments and agencies, boards and commissions, and statewide elected officials. 0:00 / 3:50. In its statement, Denka said it strongly disagrees with the federal government's decision to file a legal complaint and with the EPA's assessment of the health risks the plant's emissions pose to the surrounding community. WASHINGTON Today, on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and in coordination with the U.S. Attorneys 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 neoprene manufacturing facility in LaPlace, Louisiana. 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. Director: Mike Dupree. Japanese company Denka, along with US chemicals giant DuPont, have operated the plant that produces cancer-causing chloroprene. Elizabeth Chuck is a reporter for NBC News who focuses on health and mental health, particularly issues that affect women and children. Denkas chloroprenes emissions reach more than 300 young children who attend the 5th Ward Elementary School, located within approximately 450 feet of Denkas facility. You have accessed a U.S. Government information system, which includes (1) this computer, (2) this network, (3) all computers connected to this network, and (4) all devices and storage media attached to this network or to a computer on this network. "EPAs allegation directly contradicts the agencys own prior statements, credible data on health in St. John the Baptist Parish and the best available science on the chemical chloroprene," the statement said. Over the years, Denka has committed to taking steps to reduce the plant's emissions. In a statement, associate attorney general Vanita Gupta said: The justice departments environmental justice efforts require ensuring that every community, no matter its demographics, can breathe clean air and drink clean water. The suit claims that emissions remain so high that a child breathing air near certain monitors around the facilitys fence line would exceed their lifetime excess cancer risk within two years. The company has not moved far enough or fast enough to reduce emissions or ensure the safety of the surrounding community. This is a secure service provided by United States Department of the Treasury. Now, the DOJ has filed a complaint to compel Denka to further reduce its hazardous emissions. Here's How, 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, Regan said. 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Once taxpayer obligations are Our suit aims to stop Denkas dangerous pollution.. The company has not moved far enough or fast enough to reduce emissions or ensure the safety of the surrounding community. Next Cancel P.O. Assists federal, state, and local agencies in the investigation and prosecution of a wide range of criminal matters.Director: Leon Cannizzaro, Executive The parish sits along the Mississippi River just north of New Orleans in the states main industrial corridor, a region commonly known as Cancer Alley., This brings us hope, said Mary Hampton, president of the local advocacy group Concerned Citizens of St. John, which was founded in 2016. Taxpayers can minimize delays in receiving their refunds by updating their contact information with LDR. After the visit, Regan sent a letter to Denka urging executives to take steps to reduce the threat to those living in the surrounding towns of Laplace and Reserve. 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