The partnership between Grist and Verite News has shed light on the impact of the Drax wood pellet mill on the small town of Gloster, Mississippi. The story of Robert Weatherspoon, a former jogger and gardener, reflects the devastating health effects that residents have experienced since the mill opened in 2014.
Weatherspoon, once known for his humor and energy, now struggles to breathe and move due to the polluted air caused by the mill’s operations. The British energy giant Drax operates the mill in Gloster, as well as two others in Louisiana, producing wood pellets for overseas electricity demand. Despite marketing their product as “sustainable biomass,” the mills release cancer-causing gases and harmful particles into the air, affecting the health of the predominantly poor, Black community.
Residents like Helen Reed express how their quality of life has deteriorated since the mill’s arrival, with increased respiratory issues and other health problems. Gloster, already facing high rates of cancer, asthma, and heart disease, now bears the brunt of toxic air pollutants from the Drax mill, as indicated by EPA data.
While wood pellets are promoted as a green energy source in Europe, the reality in Gloster paints a different picture. The environmental and health impacts of the Drax mill have taken a toll on the community, highlighting the need for greater accountability and regulation in the biomass industry. As Weatherspoon contemplates his mortality, his desire to share his story serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of unchecked industrial pollution. Drax, a company based in the U.K., has transformed the largest coal power station in the U.K. into a wood stove powered by pine from Mississippi and Louisiana. This move has proven to be highly profitable for Drax, earning them billions of dollars in profits and government subsidies. The company is now eyeing expansion in the U.S., where they plan to open new mills and venture into the carbon capture and storage business.
However, the impact of Drax’s operations on local communities in Mississippi and Louisiana has been less than positive. In towns like Gloster, Urania, and Bastrop, where the mills are located, residents have complained of noise, dust, and toxic air pollution. The three Drax mills in the region have been fined millions of dollars for violating pollution regulations over the past five years.
In Gloster, a town of 850 residents, the opening of Drax’s mill was initially seen as a boon for the local economy. However, residents like Glen Henderson have been disillusioned by the negative effects of the mill on their daily lives. Noise pollution, bright lights at night, and sawdust coating cars have become commonplace in the town since the mill opened.
Despite these complaints, a Drax spokesperson has stated that the company is working to reduce pollution and prioritize the safety of their employees and communities. However, residents like Carmella Wren-Causey in Gloster continue to suffer from health issues they attribute to the mill’s emissions. Wren-Causey, who has been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, believes her declining health is directly linked to the pollution from the mill.
Environmental attorney Patrick Anderson has also raised concerns about the pollution from Drax’s mills, pointing out that the Gloster facility was emitting far more volatile organic compounds (VOCs) than allowed under its permit. This revelation led to a hefty fine from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality in 2020, sparking anger and surprise among Gloster’s residents.
As the debate over Drax’s impact on local communities continues, residents like Henderson and Wren-Causey are left grappling with the consequences of living near a massive industrial facility. The promise of economic prosperity that Drax initially brought to these towns has been overshadowed by concerns about health, pollution, and the future of their communities. The Amite BioEnergy wood pellet mill in Gloster, Mississippi, run by Drax, has been causing significant air pollution in the predominantly Black, low-income town. Krystal Martin, a community leader in Gloster, has been vocal about the harmful effects of the mill on the residents of the town. In a letter to Mississippi’s regulators, Drax admitted to underestimating its emissions at the Gloster mill, citing the lack of experience in pellet production as a reason for the miscalculation.
Similar issues were found at Drax’s mill near Bastrop, Louisiana, where state regulators discovered that the company had been breaking air quality rules by releasing more volatile organic compounds (VOC) than permitted. Despite reaching a legal settlement with Louisiana regulators in which Drax paid $3.2 million, the company did not admit any wrongdoing.
In early 2023, Mississippi regulators found that the Gloster mill had exceeded allowable limits for hazardous air pollutants. Concerned about the situation in Louisiana, environmental activist Anderson asked the state regulators if the mills in Urania and Bastrop were also exceeding their limits. However, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality stated that they do not require routine testing for hazardous air pollutants at Drax’s mills, raising concerns about the lack of monitoring for harmful chemicals.
Hazardous pollutants released by Drax into the air above Gloster included methanol, acrolein, and formaldehyde, a chemical known to cause mutations in human cells and neurodegenerative disorders. Despite the similarities between the Gloster and Bastrop mills, Louisiana regulators have not taken action against Drax for exceeding emissions limits. In 2024, Drax admitted that both its Louisiana mills had exceeded minor source limits for hazardous air pollutants, but the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality has not issued fines or taken steps to enforce compliance.
Allegations of chemical releases, manipulated data, and poor wastewater management at Drax’s mills in Louisiana have also been reported. The lack of accountability and enforcement from regulators raises concerns about the health and safety of residents living near the wood pellet mills. The ongoing pollution from these facilities highlights the need for stricter regulations and monitoring to protect communities from harmful air pollutants.
The most serious accusation against Drax’s two mills in Mississippi was that they had uncontrolled venting of harmful chemicals, including acrolein, which can irritate eyes and lungs and is likely carcinogenic. The complaint alleged that each facility had hundreds of hours of uncontrolled venting annually, exceeding limits on acrolein.
Furthermore, the complaint alleged that senior management at Drax threatened termination for mentioning these issues and manipulated data to avoid defined permit deviations. When state inspectors investigated, they found no evidence of emissions violations in the data and equipment records provided by Drax. However, they did partially substantiate claims of improper waste disposal, as Drax was found burning waste sludge without a permit at the Urania mill.
Drax denied these allegations, stating that the waste-disposal issue was not a normal condition and that they work continuously with regulators to address environmental concerns. The company also made upgrades and changes to reduce emissions, particularly volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including installing a thermal oxidizer at the Gloster mill in 2021.
Despite these efforts, Drax has faced fines for pollution violations, with a recent $225,000 fine for exceeding limits on hazardous air pollutants at the Gloster mill. The company’s profits, exceeding $1 billion in recent years, have far surpassed these penalties.
In response to complaints from residents, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality initially denied Drax permission to increase emissions in April 2025, only to reverse that decision six months later. This decision allowed the Gloster mill to become a major source of hazardous air pollutants.
Following this permit ruling, Gloster residents filed a federal lawsuit against Drax, alleging that the company exposed them to massive amounts of toxic pollutants and unlawfully denuded U.S. forests. Drax’s lawyers moved to dismiss the case, arguing that it failed to show specific injury traceable to the mill’s conduct.
While the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality declined to comment on the lawsuit, a Drax spokesperson expressed satisfaction with the permit decision, stating that it would allow the plant to continue operations, providing jobs and supporting the forestry and lumber industries. The spokesperson emphasized Drax’s commitment to compliance and improving operational standards to ensure safe and efficient operations. Studies like the one conducted by Erika Walker at Brown University are shedding light on the disproportionate siting of pellet mills in low-income and minority communities. The findings of this study are alarming, revealing that these communities are targeted due to their vulnerability and lack of resources to oppose such facilities.
The presence of pellet mills in places like Gloster, Urania, and Bastrop raises concerns about pollution and noise levels in these areas. The lack of oversight and regulation in these communities allows for the unchecked operation of these mills, potentially putting residents at risk of health issues. The economic incentives for these towns to attract such industries often outweigh the concerns for environmental and public health impacts.
In Gloster and Bastrop, where the majority of residents are Black and living below the poverty line, the presence of pellet mills exacerbates existing economic and health disparities. Urania, with a predominantly white population but high poverty rates, also faces challenges due to the impact of the wood pellet industry on its residents.
While companies like Drax deny targeting communities based on race or income levels, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Residents like Linda Coker, who live in close proximity to these mills, are often unaware of the potential risks until it’s too late. The lack of transparency and community engagement in the siting of these facilities is a major concern for public health advocates.
Moving forward, it is crucial for regulators and policymakers to prioritize the health and well-being of all communities, regardless of their economic status or demographic makeup. Research into the impacts of the wood pellet industry must be expanded to better understand the risks posed to residents in these areas. Only through increased awareness and advocacy can we ensure that all communities are protected from the harmful effects of industrial pollution. In 2024, Dr. Walker was granted a substantial $5.8 million federal grant to spearhead the first-ever study in the U.S. on emissions from wood pellet mills and their impact on human health. This groundbreaking research, funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, involves a team of researchers from the University of Mississippi and Drexel University and is set to span five years. The study is primarily focused on investigating the noise, particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other emissions stemming from Drax’s Gloster mill.
The initial findings of Dr. Walker’s team shed light on the alarming levels of noise pollution emanating from small towns with pellet mills, reaching levels comparable to those found in large cities. One such town, Gloster, was noted for noise levels that rivaled urban areas, with readings often exceeding 70 decibels and rarely dropping below 41 decibels. In contrast, the similarly sized town of Mendenhall, devoid of a pellet mill, enjoyed a much quieter environment, typically registering noise levels 10 decibels lower. This stark contrast in noise pollution has raised concerns among residents, including reports of disruptive clattering sounds during nighttime and early morning hours.
Noise pollution, though often underestimated, has been linked to various health issues such as high blood pressure, heart attacks, anxiety, and depression. Dr. Walker emphasized the detrimental effects of chronic exposure to loud noises on human health, citing disturbances to sleep, mood, and the activation of stress responses that can trigger several health problems.
Despite Drax’s assertion that they adhere to federal noise abatement standards and conduct regular sound level assessments, residents in proximity to the Gloster mill have reported adverse effects on their well-being. Moreover, ongoing research has revealed significantly heightened air pollution levels in Gloster, particularly concerning VOCs. Data collected from air pollution monitors placed around the town indicated a concentration of pollutants around the mill and neighboring residential areas, with notable spikes detected during nighttime hours.
Surprisingly, the study also uncovered a correlation between a child’s proximity to the mill and their increased body weight, suggesting a potential link between air pollution and health issues among the town’s youth. These findings have prompted residents to question the impact of the mill’s emissions on their health, with some attributing pervasive health problems in Gloster to the air quality.
As Dr. Walker continues her research, residents like Wren-Causey, who are involved in legal action against Drax, are increasingly vocal about the possible health risks posed by emissions from the wood pellet mill. The study’s preliminary results underscore the urgent need for further investigation into the environmental and health implications of wood pellet mills in the U.S. In a small town where football games are a common pastime, one man named Weatherspoon sits in his living room surrounded by friends. However, instead of enjoying the game like the others, Weatherspoon’s mind is preoccupied with the dual decline of his body and his town. This has sparked an anger within him that his doctor has warned could further harm his health.
As his friends cheer on their team, Weatherspoon reflects on the changes that have taken place in his life and in the community around him. The once vibrant town has seen better days, and the effects of this decline weigh heavily on Weatherspoon. Despite his doctor’s advice to stay calm, he finds it difficult to contain his frustration.
During a lull in the game, a guest from out of town gets up to leave. Weatherspoon can’t help but make a dark joke as the visitor heads out the door. He warns the guest not to return if he values his life, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation in the town.
The conversation with his friends and the interaction with the out-of-town guest highlight the deep-seated emotions that Weatherspoon carries with him. The sense of loss and frustration at the state of his town is palpable, and it is clear that he is struggling to come to terms with the changes that have taken place.
As the football game continues on the television screen, Weatherspoon’s thoughts drift back to his own situation and the future of the town. The anger that simmers beneath the surface serves as a reminder of the challenges that he and his community face. Despite the warnings from his doctor, Weatherspoon’s anger is a reflection of the deep-rooted emotions that come with witnessing the decline of the place he calls home. title: “The Impact of Technology on Education”
Technology has revolutionized the way we live, work, and communicate. In recent years, it has also had a profound impact on the field of education. From online learning platforms to interactive whiteboards, technology has transformed the way students learn and teachers teach. In this article, we will explore the various ways in which technology has influenced education and the benefits it brings to both students and educators.
One of the most significant impacts of technology on education is the accessibility it provides to a wealth of information and resources. With the internet at their fingertips, students can access an endless array of educational materials, research papers, and online courses. This allows them to explore topics in depth, supplement their classroom learning, and engage with a wider range of perspectives.
Furthermore, technology has made learning more interactive and engaging. Gone are the days of static textbooks and one-size-fits-all lectures. With the help of digital tools such as interactive whiteboards, educational apps, and virtual reality simulations, teachers can create dynamic and personalized learning experiences for their students. This not only keeps students more engaged and motivated but also caters to different learning styles and abilities.
Technology has also made education more flexible and accessible. Online learning platforms and video conferencing tools have made it possible for students to learn from anywhere, at any time. This is especially beneficial for students who may have physical disabilities, live in remote areas, or have other commitments that prevent them from attending traditional classes. Additionally, technology has opened up new opportunities for lifelong learning and professional development, allowing adults to upskill and reskill in a rapidly changing job market.
Another key benefit of technology in education is the ability to track and analyze student performance. Learning management systems and data analytics tools can provide teachers with valuable insights into how students are progressing, which areas they may be struggling with, and where additional support is needed. This data-driven approach enables teachers to tailor their instruction to meet the needs of individual students, leading to better outcomes and higher student achievement.
However, it is important to acknowledge that technology in education is not without its challenges. Issues such as privacy concerns, digital divide, and screen time management need to be addressed to ensure that technology is used responsibly and ethically in the classroom. Teachers also need to be adequately trained and supported in integrating technology into their teaching practices to maximize its benefits.
In conclusion, technology has had a transformative impact on education, enhancing the learning experience for students and empowering teachers with new tools and resources. As technology continues to evolve, it will be crucial for educators to adapt and embrace these changes to ensure that students are equipped with the skills they need to succeed in a digital world. By harnessing the power of technology, we can create a more inclusive, engaging, and effective educational experience for all. The world of technology is constantly evolving, with new innovations and advancements being made every day. One of the most exciting developments in recent years has been the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.
AI is a branch of computer science that aims to create intelligent machines that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as speech recognition, decision-making, and language translation. Machine learning is a subset of AI that focuses on the development of algorithms that enable computers to learn from and make predictions based on data.
The potential applications of AI and machine learning are vast and varied. In healthcare, AI is being used to analyze medical imaging data and assist in diagnosing diseases. In finance, machine learning algorithms are being used to detect fraud and predict market trends. In transportation, AI is being used to develop self-driving cars that can navigate roads safely and efficiently.
One of the key advantages of AI and machine learning is their ability to process and analyze vast amounts of data quickly and accurately. This has the potential to revolutionize industries such as healthcare, finance, and manufacturing, where large amounts of data are generated on a daily basis.
However, the rise of AI and machine learning also raises ethical and societal concerns. There are fears that AI could lead to job losses as machines take over tasks traditionally performed by humans. There are also concerns about the potential for bias in AI algorithms, which could lead to discriminatory outcomes.
Despite these challenges, the potential benefits of AI and machine learning are too great to ignore. As researchers and developers continue to push the boundaries of what is possible with these technologies, we can expect to see even more exciting advancements in the years to come. The future of technology is bright, and AI and machine learning are leading the way.
