GLOSTER, Miss. – A group of Gloster residents have filed a federal lawsuit against Drax Biomass and its subsidiaries, alleging that the company’s Amite BioEnergy wood pellet facility has, for nearly a decade, unlawfully released massive amounts of toxic pollutants into their community, violating the federal Clean Air Act and Mississippi law.
The lawsuit, filed by Singleton Schreiber in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, seeks injunctive relief, civil penalties, and damages for the harm plaintiffs have suffered, including diminished property values, and the loss of safe use and enjoyment of their homes.
According to the complaint, the Amite Facility has emitted excessive levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter since opening in 2015, often several times higher than allowed under its Air Construction Permit issued by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality pursuant to the federal Clean Air Act. These pollutants have coated residents’ homes in visible wood dust, exposed families to toxic chemicals linked to cancer and respiratory disease and caused emotional distress from the constant fear of health risks.
“For nearly a decade, families in Gloster have lived with the constant fear of what they’re breathing,” said Shani Butler-Anderson, Counsel at Singleton Schreiber. “No one should have to choose between their health and their home. Drax must be held accountable for the harm it has caused, and these residents deserve clean air.”
“This case is about holding a multi-billion-dollar foreign corporation accountable for poisoning a small Mississippi community,” said Letitia Johnson, managing partner of Singleton Schreiber’s Southeastern Region. “Drax has reaped billions in subsidies under the false pretense of clean energy while failing to comply with even the most basic U.S. environmental protections. Our clients deserve clean air, safe homes, and justice.”
The complaint also details how Mississippi awarded millions in grants and tax exemptions to support the Amite Facility, while Drax’s British parent company has received billions in UK subsidies for its biomass operations, despite the company’s record of non-compliance. Studies show that biomass energy from wood pellets produces more carbon dioxide than coal, undermining the company’s claims of sustainability.
Gloster, a town of roughly 900 residents with many experiencing financial hardship, has borne the brunt of Drax’s operations. Plaintiffs allege the company not only misrepresented its emissions in regulatory filings but also ignored known scientific data showing the dangers of post-dryer processes that release high levels of pollutants.
The plaintiffs seek a court order requiring Drax to stop its unlawful emissions, pay civil penalties, compensate residents for property damages, and fund remediation efforts, as well as comply with all applicable emission standards and Clean Air Act requirements, remedy and mitigate the harm caused to public health and the environment, disgorge profits obtained through unlawful conduct, and pay punitive damages, attorneys’ fees, and interest.
Singleton Schreiber is a client-centered law firm, focusing on mass torts/multi-district litigation, fire litigation, personal injury/wrongful death, civil rights, environmental law, insurance bad faith, tribal law, and sex abuse/trafficking. Home to the nation’s largest fire litigation practice, the firm has represented over 30,000 wildfire and explosion victims caused by utilities, government negligence, railroads, and corporate misconduct. Its nationally recognized team has played a leading role in high-profile cases including the 2025 Eaton Fire, 2025 Moss Landing Battery Fire, 2025 Esparto Fireworks Explosion, 2023 Maui Fires, and is also actively litigating wildfire cases throughout New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Oregon, and Washington. They are also pursuing groundbreaking litigation against Tesla for misrepresenting their autopilot system, which recently resulted in a historic verdict. Additionally, the firm advocates for survivors of abuse involving hotel chains in California and Washington. With deep experience in complex claims, the firm is committed to helping individuals, families, and communities recover and rebuild.
