ST. JAMES PARISH, La. (WGNO) — The plan to expand a methanol plant in St. James Parish is now in the hands of a Louisiana 23rd Judicial Court judge.

Environmental justice group RISE St. James filed a lawsuit against the parish in February to attempt to stop Koch Industries from expanding its methanol plant in Romeville.

While the parish council approved the expansion in September 2023, RISE St. James members say they’re concerned about its environmental and community impact.

“This is where we graduated from. Ned graduated from that school, and they took it from us. They don’t realize that they built this industry on wetlands. It’s against the law to build on wetlands. They come from out of the country and think they can just walk all over people and do what they want, but it’s going to stop,” said RISE St. James Director Sharon Lavigne.

The environmental group also says the expansion of the plant could add to health risks from toxic pollution.

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