Shut Down Drax Biomass in the US South

Drax Biomass cuts down trees and sends them overseas to Asia and Europe to be burned for energy. Drax claims community safety is a priority. Yet they know they’re emitting hazardous air pollutants.

They’ve exceeded air pollution limits at their plants in Mississippi and Louisiana. Reports confirm that Drax has violated environmental regulations more than 11,000 times. Some cite over 17,000 violations. States have fined Drax $5.7M. But they get $2.2M every day in UK government subsidies. The UK, EU, and Asia say burning forests as fuel is “carbon neutral”. But biomass emits more carbon than coal.

Frontline communities are sick of waiting for action.

Act Now: Add your name to the petition.

Drax causes significant damage across US Southern forests and communities. Drax destroys more than 59,000 acres of Southern forests every year. Drax can’t rely solely on waste wood to meet bioenergy demand. Wood pellet production releases carbon at every stage. Drax’s plants release toxic air pollution and harmful dust in surrounding communities. When burned, wood pellets release more carbon emissions than coal. It’s clear Drax is unwilling to voluntarily heed the demands we’ve shared over the years.

Biomass is not welcome! Communities across the US South are demanding an end to biomass in the region. #NoMoreBiomass #NoMoreDrax and #NoNewSubsidies. Drax’s air and noise pollution is harming residents living near facilities.

We’re calling on you to:

  1. Stop all industrial wood pellet biomass in the US South.
  2. No more new facilities. No more expansions. No more subsidies and tax breaks.

For a decade, Drax has failed to be a good neighbor. If Drax cares to live up to its claims about clean and renewable energy, it should act like it. Drax should align its research and development and its long-term business plan with real climate solutions. Solutions that don’t rely on destroying biodiversity and standing forests.

We will deliver all petition signatures to:

  • Will Gardiner – Drax Group Chief Executive Officer
  • Sir Keir Starmer – Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury
  • Ed Milliband – Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
  • Emma Reynolds – Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
  • Mary Creagh – Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
  • Bill Esterson – Chair, Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
  • Alistair Carmichael – Chair, EFRA Committee
  • Pippa Heylings – Lib Dem spokesperson, Energy Security and Net Zero
  • Andrew Bowie – Shadow Energy minister
  • Victoria Atkins – Shadow Defra secretary
  • Afzal Khan – Labour MP
  • Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb – Clean air voice in the Lords
  • ESNZ Committee Team – Energy Security and Net Zero Committee Team
  • EFRA Committee Team – Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Team

Want to learn more about Drax?