HJBR Jan/Feb 2020

AIR POLLUTION 32 JAN / FEB 2020 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE   At least three additional plants and expansions are coming to the parish. (Illustration 5) Currently, at least 14% of the land in St. James is owned by chemical com- panies. Over 40% of the parish is wetlands. In 2014, the parish passed its first land-use ordinance, which allowed for chemical plants to be built in huge portions of its predominantly black 5th District. (Illus- tration 6) Around that time, two chemical companies — Petroplex and Wolverine — were barred from building new facilities inside and across the river from the pre- dominantly white 3rd District. “It’s a decision based on ‘We don’t want it in the white area but we don’t mind it being in the black area,’” said Clyde Cooper, the 5th District council member. Jason Amato, the 2nd District council member said that he voted for projects in District 5 but against Wolverine and Petroplex due to safety. “I don’t rubber stamp industry.” Amato said. “I’m pro safe-industry.” In 1994, the unincorporated community of St. Gabriel voted to become a city so it could con- trol its own zoning code and decide whether com- panies would be allowed to build new plants. (Illustration 7) Illustration 5 Illustration 6