How Big Oil is Using Toxic Chemicals as a Lifeline – and How We Can Stop It

The oil and gas industry is pursuing a "petrochemical boom" to offset losses from the clean energy transition, focusing build-outs in the U.S. Gulf Coast and Appalachian regions. This expansion threatens to lock in fossil fuel demand, increase carbon emissions, and exacerbate environmental racism in low-income and minority communities. Earthjustice is actively fighting these projects, such as the Formosa Plastics complex in Louisiana, through legal challenges and policy advocacy to reduce plastic production and pollution.

• The oil and gas industry is expanding petrochemical production to maintain profit margins as the clean energy transition threatens its bottom line, with a focus on the Appalachian and Gulf Coast regions due to cheap land and industry-friendly governments.
• Petrochemical expansion is identified as a major driver of future oil demand and climate pollution; for instance, the proposed Formosa mega-complex in Louisiana would emit 13.6 million tons of carbon pollution annually, equivalent to 2.8 million cars.
• The industry targets low-income, indigenous, and communities of color for plant placement, exacerbating health issues like cancer and asthma. In St. James Parish, Louisiana, the Formosa complex would double toxic emissions and triple chemical carcinogens in "Cancer Alley."
• Plastic pollution is linked to petrochemical production, with 300 million tons of plastic produced annually worldwide. In the U.S., over 30 million tons are thrown away each year, with only 8% recycled.
• Earthjustice is combating the petrochemical boom by challenging air permits, suing the EPA to implement restrictions on pollutants like chloroprene and ethylene oxide, and supporting legislation for plastic producer responsibility.

APA

Earthjustice (2024). How Big Oil is Using Toxic Chemicals as a Lifeline – and How We Can Stop It. https://earthjustice.org/feature/petrochemicals-explainer

Chicago

Earthjustice. How Big Oil is Using Toxic Chemicals as a Lifeline – and How We Can Stop It. 2024. https://earthjustice.org/feature/petrochemicals-explainer.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Earthjustice |title=How Big Oil is Using Toxic Chemicals as a Lifeline – and How We Can Stop It |date=23 January 2024 |url=https://earthjustice.org/feature/petrochemicals-explainer |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{earthjustice2024how, author = {{Earthjustice}}, title = {{How Big Oil is Using Toxic Chemicals as a Lifeline – and How We Can Stop It}}, institution = {Earthjustice}, year = {2024}, month = jan, url = {https://earthjustice.org/feature/petrochemicals-explainer}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }