Mississippi Town Chokes on Wood Pellet Pollution

Gloster, Mississippi residents have filed a lawsuit against British energy giant Drax, accusing the company of unlawfully exposing the community to massive amounts of toxic air pollutants. The Amite Bioenergy mill, operational since 2014, produces wood pellets for export, but has been cited for exceeding emission limits for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants, including methanol. These emissions have been linked by researchers to serious health issues among residents.

Drax has accumulated nearly $6 million in environmental violations in Mississippi and Louisiana over the past four years. In 2020, the Gloster mill was fined $2.5 million for VOC emissions exceeding permitted levels. Despite subsequent upgrades and claims of environmental responsibility, the company continued to incur fines, including a $225,000 penalty in late 2024 for exceeding hazardous air pollutant limits. The company reported substantial profits of approximately $1.4 billion in 2024.

The lawsuit was triggered in October 2025, after the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality reversed an earlier decision, allowing Drax's Gloster mill to become a major source of hazardous air pollutants. Residents, particularly those in low-income and majority-Black areas, report experiencing breathing difficulties and foul odors, with studies indicating higher pollution levels closer to residential areas and mobile home parks. The economic impact on the town has also been questioned, with many employees not residing locally.