Resources
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Oil and Gas Watch
This is a resource detailing the locations of proposed new and expanding oil, gas, and petrochemical infrastructure projects that have been approved or announced since 2012. About 402 of these projects have been built out over the last decade. An additional 434 projects have not yet been constructed.
Oil and Gas Watch
This is a resource detailing the locations of proposed new and expanding oil, gas, and petrochemical infrastructure projects that have been approved or announced since 2012. About 402 of these projects have been built out over the last decade. An additional 434 projects have not yet been constructed.
Pre-Production Microplastics Map
This map reveals the location of pre-production microplastic facilities across the U.S., finding that pre-production microplastics are produced in over half of U.S. states.
Pre-Production Microplastics Map
This map reveals the location of pre-production microplastic facilities across the U.S., finding that pre-production microplastics are produced in over half of U.S. states.
Emissions Unleashed: The Climate Crisis and America’s Petrochemical Boom
This report exposes the climate footprint of the planned petrochemical buildout in the U.S. It identifies the most climate-damaging projects and products, demonstrates carbon capture’s inability to significantly mitigate emissions, and uncovers how taxpayers are being misled into funding polluting projects sold as ‘climate solutions.’
Emissions Unleashed: The Climate Crisis and America’s Petrochemical Boom
This report exposes the climate footprint of the planned petrochemical buildout in the U.S. It identifies the most climate-damaging projects and products, demonstrates carbon capture’s inability to significantly mitigate emissions, and uncovers how taxpayers are being misled into funding polluting projects sold as ‘climate solutions.’
Petrochemical Facilities: Implications for Climate, Air Quality, Health, and Equity in the Ohio River Valley and Gulf Coast
This tool provides data on petrochemical facilities at the facility, county, state, and regional levels, including data on average greenhouse gas emissions, hazardous air pollutant levels, attributable premature deaths, and information about populations living near petrochemical facilities in the Ohio River Valley and Gulf Coast.
Petrochemical Facilities: Implications for Climate, Air Quality, Health, and Equity in the Ohio River Valley and Gulf Coast
This tool provides data on petrochemical facilities at the facility, county, state, and regional levels, including data on average greenhouse gas emissions, hazardous air pollutant levels, attributable premature deaths, and information about populations living near petrochemical facilities in the Ohio River Valley and Gulf Coast.
Assessing the Greenhouse Gas Emissions of the U.S. Petrochemical Industry
An independent analysis found that the U.S. petrochemical industry produces carbon pollution equal to 90 coal plants each year, and industry expansion plans will add enough new carbon pollution to equal nearly 30 coal plants.
Assessing the Greenhouse Gas Emissions of the U.S. Petrochemical Industry
An independent analysis found that the U.S. petrochemical industry produces carbon pollution equal to 90 coal plants each year, and industry expansion plans will add enough new carbon pollution to equal nearly 30 coal plants.
Plastic Production Database
Defend Our Health released a database that offers a comprehensive overview of the production process for the six most common plastics. The web tool supports advocates and activists who are combating the rapid expansion of the plastic industry by providing data-driven facts and figures for robust, evidence-based data sources and serving as an educational tool to demystify the complicated and toxic processes by which plastic is produced.
Plastic Production Database
Defend Our Health released a database that offers a comprehensive overview of the production process for the six most common plastics. The web tool supports advocates and activists who are combating the rapid expansion of the plastic industry by providing data-driven facts and figures for robust, evidence-based data sources and serving as an educational tool to demystify the complicated and toxic processes by which plastic is produced.
Emissions Out the Gate: State of the Refining and Petrochemical Industries
RMI’s report, Emissions Out the Gate: State of the Refining and Petrochemical Industries, provides an overview of the U.S. and global refining and petrochemical industries, their current emissions and forecasted growth, and projected emissions out to 2050.
Emissions Out the Gate: State of the Refining and Petrochemical Industries
RMI’s report, Emissions Out the Gate: State of the Refining and Petrochemical Industries, provides an overview of the U.S. and global refining and petrochemical industries, their current emissions and forecasted growth, and projected emissions out to 2050.
Climate Impact of Primary Plastic Production
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory published a report detailing the current scale and future growth of global carbon pollution from plastic production. Estimates show that plastic production emits as much carbon pollution as 600 coal-fired power plants annually.
Climate Impact of Primary Plastic Production
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory published a report detailing the current scale and future growth of global carbon pollution from plastic production. Estimates show that plastic production emits as much carbon pollution as 600 coal-fired power plants annually.
U.S. Climate Vulnerability Index
Pulling in 184 sets of data to rank more than 70,000 U.S. Census tracts, the U.S. Climate Vulnerability Index helps you see which communities face the greatest challenges from the impacts of a changing climate. This tool shows what is driving the challenges, so policymakers and communities themselves can take action to build climate resilience where it is needed most.
U.S. Climate Vulnerability Index
Pulling in 184 sets of data to rank more than 70,000 U.S. Census tracts, the U.S. Climate Vulnerability Index helps you see which communities face the greatest challenges from the impacts of a changing climate. This tool shows what is driving the challenges, so policymakers and communities themselves can take action to build climate resilience where it is needed most.
Addressing Plastics’ Climate Risk: We Can Cut Petrochemical Use Today
RMI conducted a first-of-its-kind analysis of the detailed emissions and climate risk posed by plastics and other petrochemicals.
Addressing Plastics’ Climate Risk: We Can Cut Petrochemical Use Today
RMI conducted a first-of-its-kind analysis of the detailed emissions and climate risk posed by plastics and other petrochemicals.
Ethylene Oxide in Southeastern Louisiana’s Petrochemical Corridor
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University used a suite of cutting-edge monitoring tools in a mobile laboratory to measure toxic chemicals in Louisiana's petrochemical corridor, finding levels of ethylene oxide more than nine times higher than previous estimates.
Ethylene Oxide in Southeastern Louisiana’s Petrochemical Corridor
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University used a suite of cutting-edge monitoring tools in a mobile laboratory to measure toxic chemicals in Louisiana's petrochemical corridor, finding levels of ethylene oxide more than nine times higher than previous estimates.
Houston's Dirty Dozen
Air Alliance Houston identified the top twelve industrial air polluters in Harris County, which are responsible for a significant share of chemical releases and climate-warming pollution in the region, with health impacts ranging from short-term respiratory irritation to long-term cancer risks.
Houston's Dirty Dozen
Air Alliance Houston identified the top twelve industrial air polluters in Harris County, which are responsible for a significant share of chemical releases and climate-warming pollution in the region, with health impacts ranging from short-term respiratory irritation to long-term cancer risks.
Spill Tracker
Spill Tracker is a database of reported fires, flares, spills, and other petrochemical incidents, which occur on average every three days. Researchers from Beyond Petrochemicals track media and government reports of incidents involving carcinogenic petrochemicals like vinyl chloride, ammonia, benzene, and butadiene. Updates are published on the site weekly, demonstrating the danger these toxic chemicals pose.
Spill Tracker
Spill Tracker is a database of reported fires, flares, spills, and other petrochemical incidents, which occur on average every three days. Researchers from Beyond Petrochemicals track media and government reports of incidents involving carcinogenic petrochemicals like vinyl chloride, ammonia, benzene, and butadiene. Updates are published on the site weekly, demonstrating the danger these toxic chemicals pose.
Improving Methodologies for Cumulative Risk Assessment
Researchers at Johns Hopklins University developed a new method to measure the cumulative health burden of breathing many different air pollutants that communities are exposed to daily. They found elevated risks of diseases that would have been entirely overlooked under traditional risk assessment used by regulatory agencies.
Improving Methodologies for Cumulative Risk Assessment
Researchers at Johns Hopklins University developed a new method to measure the cumulative health burden of breathing many different air pollutants that communities are exposed to daily. They found elevated risks of diseases that would have been entirely overlooked under traditional risk assessment used by regulatory agencies.
Buildings' Hidden Plastic Problem
Habitable shares highlights from the significant body of science indicating that plastic building materials are contributing to serious health and environmental harms over their life cycle, from fossil fuel extraction to production, use, and disposal. This report includes examples of solutions and offers recommendations to strengthen policies that will reduce plastic use in the built environment and associated life cycle harms.
Buildings' Hidden Plastic Problem
Habitable shares highlights from the significant body of science indicating that plastic building materials are contributing to serious health and environmental harms over their life cycle, from fossil fuel extraction to production, use, and disposal. This report includes examples of solutions and offers recommendations to strengthen policies that will reduce plastic use in the built environment and associated life cycle harms.
Plastic's Toxic River
Environmental Integrity Project analyzed public records and data for 70 petrochemical plants that manufacture the most common plastics and their primary chemical ingredients and discharge wastewater directly into rivers, lakes, and other water bodies.
Plastic's Toxic River
Environmental Integrity Project analyzed public records and data for 70 petrochemical plants that manufacture the most common plastics and their primary chemical ingredients and discharge wastewater directly into rivers, lakes, and other water bodies.
Ambient Measurements of Hazardous Air Pollutants in the United States Routinely Exceed Predictions from Screening-Level Exposure Models
Researchers found that ambient measurements for hazardous air pollutants were routinely higher than regulatory model estimates. Data showed that the number of people with multipollutant exposure above the EPA’s acceptable excess lifetime cancer risk increased by a factor of 30 times in Houston, Texas, and 13 times in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Ambient Measurements of Hazardous Air Pollutants in the United States Routinely Exceed Predictions from Screening-Level Exposure Models
Researchers found that ambient measurements for hazardous air pollutants were routinely higher than regulatory model estimates. Data showed that the number of people with multipollutant exposure above the EPA’s acceptable excess lifetime cancer risk increased by a factor of 30 times in Houston, Texas, and 13 times in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Air Quality Data Directory
Environmental Defense Fund created a central directory of air pollutant emissions databases and associated tools to consolidate relevant air quality data and share resources for data-informed legal action and clean air advocacy.
Air Quality Data Directory
Environmental Defense Fund created a central directory of air pollutant emissions databases and associated tools to consolidate relevant air quality data and share resources for data-informed legal action and clean air advocacy.
Petrochemical Air Pollution Map
This map uses modeled estimates based on industry-reported emissions data to show health risks from toxic petrochemical air pollution, the chemicals and companies driving those risks, and where facilities and air quality monitors are located.
Petrochemical Air Pollution Map
This map uses modeled estimates based on industry-reported emissions data to show health risks from toxic petrochemical air pollution, the chemicals and companies driving those risks, and where facilities and air quality monitors are located.
Chester Hazardous Air Pollutant Monitoring and Assessment Project
This study was designed and conducted by Johns Hopkins University to combine the strengths of different measurement platforms to better characterize the acute and chronic multipollutant neighborhood level risk to fenceline communities.
Chester Hazardous Air Pollutant Monitoring and Assessment Project
This study was designed and conducted by Johns Hopkins University to combine the strengths of different measurement platforms to better characterize the acute and chronic multipollutant neighborhood level risk to fenceline communities.
Problem Plastic: How Polyester and PET Plastic Can be Unsafe, Unjust, and Unsustainable Materials
Worldwide production of all petrochemical plastics exceeded 475 million metric tons in 2019. The petrochemical industry wants to double plastics production again by 2040. Read more in this report from Defend our Health.
Problem Plastic: How Polyester and PET Plastic Can be Unsafe, Unjust, and Unsustainable Materials
Worldwide production of all petrochemical plastics exceeded 475 million metric tons in 2019. The petrochemical industry wants to double plastics production again by 2040. Read more in this report from Defend our Health.
Toxic Footprints Dashboard
Toxic Footprints shows how investors are exposed to petrochemical facilities and their toxic releases in the Gulf of Mexico. The work shows the largest investors in the most toxic petrochemical companies and facilities in the region, and which chemicals post the largest risk to human health. Use this dashboard to identify the top polluting investors, corporates, and facilities in the report.
Toxic Footprints Dashboard
Toxic Footprints shows how investors are exposed to petrochemical facilities and their toxic releases in the Gulf of Mexico. The work shows the largest investors in the most toxic petrochemical companies and facilities in the region, and which chemicals post the largest risk to human health. Use this dashboard to identify the top polluting investors, corporates, and facilities in the report.
The Declining Significance of the Petrochemical Industry in Louisiana
This report finds that Louisiana's economy is showing clear signs of weakness related to petrochemical market deterioration, concluding that the decades-long partnership between the state of Louisiana and petrochemical producers is unravelling.
The Declining Significance of the Petrochemical Industry in Louisiana
This report finds that Louisiana's economy is showing clear signs of weakness related to petrochemical market deterioration, concluding that the decades-long partnership between the state of Louisiana and petrochemical producers is unravelling.
The Uncertain Ammonia Industry, Present & Future
Ohio River Valley Institute assessed the layers of uncertainty around new ammonia markets and the ability of new projects to scale production, recommending skepticism around carbon impacts and judicious allocations for federal tax incentives for the massive ammonia buildout planned for the US.
The Uncertain Ammonia Industry, Present & Future
Ohio River Valley Institute assessed the layers of uncertainty around new ammonia markets and the ability of new projects to scale production, recommending skepticism around carbon impacts and judicious allocations for federal tax incentives for the massive ammonia buildout planned for the US.
Louisiana Petrochemical Project is a Losing Bet for Investors and Local Communities
This report reviews the financial risks of the proposed Mitsubishi plant in Geismar, Louisiana.
Louisiana Petrochemical Project is a Losing Bet for Investors and Local Communities
This report reviews the financial risks of the proposed Mitsubishi plant in Geismar, Louisiana.
Beaver County Data Analysis: 2025 Update
More than twelve years after Shell announced plans to construct a massive petrochemical facility in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Ohio River Valley Institute has tracked economic data from Beaver County, revealing that Shell’s claim that the plant would be a “windfall” to the economy has failed to materialize.
Beaver County Data Analysis: 2025 Update
More than twelve years after Shell announced plans to construct a massive petrochemical facility in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Ohio River Valley Institute has tracked economic data from Beaver County, revealing that Shell’s claim that the plant would be a “windfall” to the economy has failed to materialize.
Giving Away the Future: How Louisiana's Industrial Tax Exemption Program Has Failed to Produce Prosperity
Giving Away the Future assesses the impact of Louisiana's Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP), finding that tens of billions of dollars in tax exemptions have failed to benefit local communities.
Giving Away the Future: How Louisiana's Industrial Tax Exemption Program Has Failed to Produce Prosperity
Giving Away the Future assesses the impact of Louisiana's Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP), finding that tens of billions of dollars in tax exemptions have failed to benefit local communities.
Pennsylvania's Bad Bet: Why Shell Didn't Save Appalachia with Plastics
The report evaluates the false promises and harmful impacts of a Shell ethane cracker plant in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. It specifically counters the flawed economic analysis used to justify building the plant.
Pennsylvania's Bad Bet: Why Shell Didn't Save Appalachia with Plastics
The report evaluates the false promises and harmful impacts of a Shell ethane cracker plant in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. It specifically counters the flawed economic analysis used to justify building the plant.
Feeding the Plastics Industrial Complex
Billions of taxpayer dollars in the U.S. are helping to pay for dangerous, and often illegal, air pollution from a rapidly-growing plastics industry that threatens Black and Latino communities that live beside plastic manufacturing plants. This Environmental Integrity Project report examined 50 plants that were built or expanded in the U.S. since 2012, 32 of which received a total of almost $9 billion in state and local subsidies.
Feeding the Plastics Industrial Complex
Billions of taxpayer dollars in the U.S. are helping to pay for dangerous, and often illegal, air pollution from a rapidly-growing plastics industry that threatens Black and Latino communities that live beside plastic manufacturing plants. This Environmental Integrity Project report examined 50 plants that were built or expanded in the U.S. since 2012, 32 of which received a total of almost $9 billion in state and local subsidies.
Breathing Easy Report: An Assessment of Public Health Benefits from EPA Air Pollution Standards (2021-2024)
This report analyzes the public health and economic impacts of the Environmental Protection Agency’s air pollution regulations issued from 2021 to 2024.
Breathing Easy Report: An Assessment of Public Health Benefits from EPA Air Pollution Standards (2021-2024)
This report analyzes the public health and economic impacts of the Environmental Protection Agency’s air pollution regulations issued from 2021 to 2024.
Hidden Hazards: The Chemical Footprint of a Plastic Bottle
The report unveils how chemical manufacturers and beverage companies continue to perpetuate environmental racism to produce PET plastic bottles.
Hidden Hazards: The Chemical Footprint of a Plastic Bottle
The report unveils how chemical manufacturers and beverage companies continue to perpetuate environmental racism to produce PET plastic bottles.
Pushing Back: A Guide for Frontline Communities Challenging Petrochemical Expansion
The Center for International Environmental law pulled together this resource for communities facing the threat of petrochemical pollution and expansion. While this guide is primarily focused on petrochemical developments in the U.S., some of the information and tools may apply more broadly.
Pushing Back: A Guide for Frontline Communities Challenging Petrochemical Expansion
The Center for International Environmental law pulled together this resource for communities facing the threat of petrochemical pollution and expansion. While this guide is primarily focused on petrochemical developments in the U.S., some of the information and tools may apply more broadly.