Greenpeace Vehemently Opposes Siting of Proposed Formosa PVC Fac

["Greenbase" <greenbas@gb.greenpeace.org>]

GREENPEACE VEHEMENTLY OPPOSES THE SITING OF THE PROPOSED FORMOSA
FACILITY FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:
 
(1) The life cycle (production, combustion in accidental fires,
and disposal) of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is one of the largest
contributors to the world's dioxin burden. Dioxin, an
unintentional by-product in the process to create PVC has been
linked to a host of adverse health impacts, including cancer,
reproductive disorders, infertility, immune suppression, and
neurological damage.  The Formosa plant will increase the global
dioxin burden at a time when US and other governments are
investigating ways to curb dioxin exposure.
 
(2) The process to create polyvinyl chloride is extremely energy
intensive. There is no doubt that Formosa has been slated to
receive discounted utility rates for electricity.  One can
expect Georgians to pay the ultimate price with the proposed
facility: increased pollution and increased utility rates. With
discounted energy rates and other economic incentives being
offered by the state economic development agency, Formosa is
being "paid to pollute".
 
(3) Formosa has a shameful history of not being a good corporate
neighbor- both in Taiwan and the United States.
 
TAIWAN -  Greenpeace has footage of a protest in Taiwan of
Formosa's flagrant environmental degradation of  the neighboring
communities.  
 
DELAWARE - The State of Delaware temporarily revoked Formosa's
operating license because of environmental problems.
 
TEXAS -  Toxic emissions from the company's plant in Point
Comfort, Texas, has devastated the shrimping industry in the
immediate area. Independent shrimper Diane Wilson is a strong
opponent of Formosa in Texas. She has initiated hunger strikes
in protest to the environmental degradation to the area as a
result of its operations. It was reported that Formosa acquired
a  record fine of over $3 million in Texas for pollution
problems.  
LOUISIANA -  Formosa, along with Louisiana's state department of
environmental quality, fought residents for over seven years in
trying to locate a plant in St. John the Baptist Parish.  This
struggle, rife with unethical and illegal activities, resulted
in an FBI investigation and an indictment of an official with
the state government. The existing Formosa plant in Baton Rouge
has an extensive history of violating its permit for toxic
releases.  
Greenpeace will alert local citizens to the dangers of PVC as
well as Formosa's history of contamination in its host
communities. Formosa was not welcome  in St. John Parish,
Louisiana. Formosa should not be welcome in Georgia. 
 
 For more information: Kishi Animashaun/Greenpeace Toxics
Campaigner/404-876-8256 x 208