MDEQ reverses previous decision Greater Greener Gloster vows to continue the fight against DRAX

Greater Greener Gloster founder, Dr. Krystal Martin, says, “I’m not surprised by the outcome. It has been very evident on social media that DRAX has definitely, in my opinion, used whatever tactics needed to sway the governor, legislature, and some members of the community to make sure the decision goes in their favor. … We have other lawsuits we are filing against DRAX with Singleton & Schreiber and Attorney Ben Crump. This decision is about the permit, but we also have been working with residents who are affected by the DRAX pollution… we live to fight another day.” 

On October 14, 2025, the Greater Greener Gloster, LLC, and other organizations, such as the Mississippi Center for Justice, assembled across the street from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) offices in Jackson, Mississippi, to protest against BioMass Entergy/DRAX receiving a permit to continue to operate in Gloster, Mississippi. Approximately 100 persons joined Dr. Krystal Martin and Gloster residents chanting in protest that DRAX not receive permission to continue to pollute the small south Mississippi town and its residents with Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) that are linked to cancer and other health-related issues, along with Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that can cause damage to the kidneys, liver, and central nervous system. 

The Greater Greener Gloster legal team was led by EARTHJUSTICE attorney Allison Brouk, who questioned several Gloster residents. They testified to the MDEQ board that since DRAX started its operation in 2016, they have experienced higher levels of cancer, nose bleeds, headaches, and numerous upper respiratory issues causing them to utilize inhalers and oxygen on a daily basis throughout the day and night. The Gloster residents also reported the accumulation of vast amounts of dust on their porches, vehicles, and inside their homes throughout the town, which is only one mile in diameter with approximately 900-1,000 residents.  The Gloster residents also reported an increased amount of noise caused by numerous trucks going in and out of the DRAX plant during the day and at night.

The DRAX plant is located in a community that is comprised of low-income, predominantly Black residents who told the MDEQ board members that the wood pellets that DRAX produces are causing them harm with regard to their increased health-related issues. Land & Climate Review reports that DRAX has violated U.S. environmental rules more than 11,000 times and has paid $3M in fines for violations in Gloster. 

DRAX was represented by lead attorney W. Abram Orlansky of Watkins & Eager, along with his team, who addressed the MDEQ board. They told MDEQ that DRAX had been cited for violations in the past, but that DRAX has taken corrective actions and is no longer in violation of the citations at the Gloster plant. These citations resulted in DRAX being denied air pollution permits in April 2025 by MDEQ. The Orlansky team noted that the Mayor of Gloster, Wayne Jerry Norwood, an African American, is in favor of DRAX operating in Gloster, along with several community leaders.

The MDEQ board meeting began on October 14 and concluded on October 15, 2025, with a decision to allow DRAX more air pollution permits.