Hip Hop Caucus stands firmly with Louisiana residents in expressing their opposition to the proposed $4 billion “Blue Point” ammonia plant in Ascension Parish. This facility — backed by CF Industries, JERA, and Mitsui — is a dangerous expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure disguised as climate progress.

There are over 200 fossil fuel plants in Cancer Alley – which spans from Donaldsville to Geismer.   Blue Point Complex is slated to be built near CF Industries’ Donaldsonville Nitrogen Complex, which is already the largest emitter of greenhouse gases and toxic pollutants in Louisiana. The Donaldsonville facility emits over 10 million tons of greenhouse gases annually and releases millions of pounds of toxic chemicals into the air and water. This new project would only exacerbate the health crisis faced by nearby communities.

Governor Landry’s claim that this facility will bring economic growth ignores mounting evidence that petrochemical facilities do not deliver the promised benefits. A recent report reveals that Louisiana ranks near the bottom nationally in GDP growth, population growth, and median household income, despite decades of reliance on oil and gas industries.  Not to mention the tax breaks often given to petrochemical companies that fail to create meaningful jobs; for example, St. John the Baptist Parish saw $19 million in tax credits between 2010 and 2022 but no direct job creation. 

The Governor’s attempt to sell this as economic growth and a creation of jobs simply falls flat. The promises of 100 jobs from the Blue Point Complex (or in his attempt and use this facility alongside a proposed steel mill – a proposed 5000 jobs— to justify a new Mississippi River bridge) pales in comparison to the real cost: more traffic, heavier industrial shipments, and more pollution. 

Even when we look further into the technology being proposed here – such as carbon capture technology – are more expensive than proven renewable energy, misleading, false solutions, and deepen our dependency on the fossil fuel industry. Energy intensive, carbon capture technologies will require the plant to run harder and more often, increasing the likelihood of accidents, work-related fatigue and toxic emissions. Water intensive, carbon capture technologies will also threaten local drinking water supply and its cost for consumers.

We join the people of Ascension, Iberville, and St. James Parishes in saying “NO” to Blue Point and no to expanding Cancer Alley.