Harris DeVille & Associates

NAPALM IN THE MORNING

To address near neighbor, environmental activist and key stakeholder concerns so that permits could be granted to allow Rhodia to safely and responsibly accept and burn a blended fuel containing napalm to operate its industrial boilers.

To neutralize the negative publicity, to establish a credible message and to survive legislative and legal challenges, Rhodia initiated a comprehensive community outreach plan and communicated with many community leaders, plant neighbors and regulatory officials early in the process. Rhodia also established a good working relationship with the local media. Rhodia sought cooperative solutions to community concerns and listened at every opportunity. After a state Senate resolution was passed with Rhodia's support, additional preventative measures were put in place by the company and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ).

After five months of public debate, Rhodia won a federal court challenge and began processing the blended fuel. The company continued to share information with key stakeholders. A December 1999 report by LDEQ revealed that the processing of the blended fuel was not having an adverse impact on the environment. The lead editorial headline in the Baton Rouge Advocate on December 29, 1999 read, "Napalm burning found to be safe." This was concluded by a lead editorial in August 2001 titled, "No harm, no foul in napalm burn" and was summarized by the last sentence of the editorial which said, "Rhodia acted responsibly and in the national interest in disposing of the napalm in an environmentally sound manner."

Return to Footwork