Norco Case Summary

The Norco case teaches us that science is as important a part of the environmental justice movement as activism and public policy. This is because scientific claims can be made by anyone, from powerful multinational corporations to members of marginalized communities. Investigation and testing of these claims in a scientific fashion have the ability to show that some claims made by those with power are false, as well as vindicate the claims of marginalized individuals or groups. This makes science a great equalizer of political power. In the end, research using the scientific method is the only reliable way that we know of to find out the truth of the world around us. Norco, Louisiana had both a Shell Chemical plant and an oil refinery in close proximity to people’s homes. The chemical plant regularly had a acrid, metallic odor emanating from it and residents claimed that it caused headaches, sinus problems, and
Shell also used many questionable tactics against the community of Norco during negotiations. The company refused to have public meetings with the community. Any meetings they had were by invitation only and excluded most of the population. If people from the community showed up and demanded to be let in, they were turned away by Shell security. When they did have meetings with activists they attempted to sow mistrust among them, communicating information to a few individuals, instead of the group. This caused tensions to rise because some people thought that others were told extra information by Shell and it confused the community. Many citizens also reported feeling intimidated, claiming that Shell security officials would drive through the neighborhood. When one resident, Margie Richards, was being filmed for a news story, the police drove by her house three times. (Louisiana Bucket Brigade, pg.