St. James environmental advocates feel ‘left out’ after recent pro-industry votes

St. James environmental advocates feel ‘left out’ after recent pro-industry votes

Sharon Lavigne, founder of the environmental justice group Rise St. James, holds a sign while pointing out where her property was damaged by high wind during Hurricane Francine. (Drew Costley/ Verite News)As a resident of St. James Parish, Barbara Washington is already surrounded by plastics manufacturers, chemical companies and natural gas refineries that populate the parish. But the local government is looking to pave the way for more industry…