Two major petrochemical projects planned for Louisiana’s St. James Parish are facing permitting obstacles following recent decisions that may affect them moving forward.

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A court ruling has stalled FG LA LLC’s plan to build a massive $9.4 billion plastics facility. The affiliate of global conglomerate Formosa Group has had the Sunshine Project on the drawing board since 2015. The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) had issued air permits in early 2020.

However, the 19th Judicial District Court in East Baton Rouge Parish found that LDEQ erred in issuing air permits and violated the constitutional rights of petitioners.

Several community and environmental groups had challenged LDEQ’s decision to issue the permits, citing, among other things, its location,...