Residents of Channelview, Texas, are growing increasingly concerned about the LyondellBasell refinery’s plan to purchase pollution credits to allow continued expansion, despite a history of emitting ozone-forming pollutants.
Pollution credits are a mechanism that allows companies to buy credits to offset pollution, but critics argue some companies exploit this system when shutting down plants and profiting from old permits.
Channelview residents are primarily concerned about the direct impact of these emissions on their health, especially with the refinery’s proximity to their community.
Community Concerns Over Health Risks
The refinery’s continued emissions, particularly ground-level ozone, pose significant health risks to those living near it. Long-term exposure to ozone can increase the likelihood of asthma, lung-related issues, and other respiratory problems.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency highlights that even healthy adults experience a decline in quality of life due to ozone exposure, but children, the elderly, and those with preexisting health conditions are at the greatest risk. The community’s concerns center around how the refinery’s expansion may worsen these issues.
Residents Take Action
In response, Channelview residents have united to address their concerns. They wrote a letter to LyondellBasell, expressing their worries about recurring high levels of benzene—a carcinogenic compound—around the refinery.
The letter also highlighted the potential harm to the 130,000 people living within a five-mile radius of the facility. While some community members acknowledged the refinery’s past efforts to build trust, they called for limitations on both emissions and the use of pollution credits to address the growing environmental concerns.
Voices for Change
Environmental advocates, like Jennifer Hadayia, director of Air Alliance Houston, have voiced skepticism about the effectiveness of pollution credits. Since these credits are often purchased from plants already slated to close or reduce operations, Hadayia argues that this practice does little to reduce the actual pollution.
Local residents, such as Mario Martinez, a 40-year Channelview resident, have also voiced their belief that if LyondellBasell cannot meet environmental thresholds without relying on pollution credits, the refinery’s expansion should not be allowed to proceed.
Call for Action on Health and Environment
The ongoing concerns in Channelview emphasize the importance of addressing critical climate and pollution issues, particularly the impact of ground-level ozone on public health.
With growing community advocacy, residents are pushing for more stringent regulations and a greater commitment to environmental responsibility from companies like LyondellBasell.
