In a controversial decision, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has granted Drax's Amite BioEnergy pellet mill in Gloster, Mississippi, permission to increase its pollution limits. This decision comes after the DEQ had previously sided with local residents, who have long expressed concerns about the health impacts of emissions from the facility. Drax has been fined over $2.75 million for exceeding toxic emissions limits since 2016. Despite community opposition and a federal lawsuit alleging violations of the Clean Air Act, the DEQ has reclassified Drax as a major emitter of hazardous air pollutants, allowing it to legally emit more pollutants. Drax claims to have invested in advanced pollution control technology, but residents report ongoing health issues and environmental degradation. The reversal has sparked further community outrage and calls for accountability.