A Texas shrimper has successfully stalled ExxonMobil's $10bn plastics plant, according to a recent development that highlights the growing resistance from local communities against big oil's latest survival plan.
Diane Wilson, 77, a lifelong resident of Seadrift, Texas, has been leading the charge against Formosa Plastics' toxic waste dumping in coastal Texas. Her historic lawsuit against the company, which led to a $50m Clean Water Act settlement, was just one of many steps she's taken to expose the harm caused by plastic pollution.
When ExxonMobil announced plans to "slow the pace of development" on its proposed plastics plant in Calhoun county, it cited market conditions as the reason. However, local activists say that's a convenient excuse for a company that stands to reap massive profits from petrochemicals, which are becoming increasingly important as the world shifts towards cleaner energy.
Exxon's plans for the new facility would have produced 3m tons of polyethylene pellets per year, fueling production of plastic products used in everything from grocery bags to vinyl flooring. The company already operates one of the largest chemical hubs in Baytown, Texas, and its proposed plastics plant would be the next link in a fossil-fuel chain stretching from gas wells in west Texas to manufacturing zones in Asia.
Calhoun county's history is marked by corporate impunity, as oil and gas companies have long promised jobs but delivered health risks, poisoned groundwater, and dead fisheries. Wilson's activism has forced Exxon to pause its plans, sending a message that local communities will not be silenced or ignored.
As the world prepares for Cop30 in Belém, where world leaders are pledging to phase out fossil fuels, Exxon is expanding drilling, petrochemical production, and greenwashing efforts behind the scenes. The company's pause may be temporary, but it must be permanent if we are to avoid another generation of plastic built on the same extractive logic that created the climate crisis.
Diane Wilson's story serves as a reminder that even the largest corporations can be stopped when ordinary people refuse to back down. Her courage in standing up for her community is an inspiration to those fighting against pollution and environmental degradation around the world.
Diane Wilson, 77, a lifelong resident of Seadrift, Texas, has been leading the charge against Formosa Plastics' toxic waste dumping in coastal Texas. Her historic lawsuit against the company, which led to a $50m Clean Water Act settlement, was just one of many steps she's taken to expose the harm caused by plastic pollution.
When ExxonMobil announced plans to "slow the pace of development" on its proposed plastics plant in Calhoun county, it cited market conditions as the reason. However, local activists say that's a convenient excuse for a company that stands to reap massive profits from petrochemicals, which are becoming increasingly important as the world shifts towards cleaner energy.
Exxon's plans for the new facility would have produced 3m tons of polyethylene pellets per year, fueling production of plastic products used in everything from grocery bags to vinyl flooring. The company already operates one of the largest chemical hubs in Baytown, Texas, and its proposed plastics plant would be the next link in a fossil-fuel chain stretching from gas wells in west Texas to manufacturing zones in Asia.
Calhoun county's history is marked by corporate impunity, as oil and gas companies have long promised jobs but delivered health risks, poisoned groundwater, and dead fisheries. Wilson's activism has forced Exxon to pause its plans, sending a message that local communities will not be silenced or ignored.
As the world prepares for Cop30 in Belém, where world leaders are pledging to phase out fossil fuels, Exxon is expanding drilling, petrochemical production, and greenwashing efforts behind the scenes. The company's pause may be temporary, but it must be permanent if we are to avoid another generation of plastic built on the same extractive logic that created the climate crisis.
Diane Wilson's story serves as a reminder that even the largest corporations can be stopped when ordinary people refuse to back down. Her courage in standing up for her community is an inspiration to those fighting against pollution and environmental degradation around the world.
. I mean, 77 years young and still taking on big oil companies? That takes guts! And it's not just about her, it's about all the others out there who are fighting against plastic pollution and fossil fuels. We need more people like Diane Wilson to keep pushing for change 
.
. It's easy to pretend to care about the environment when it doesn't affect you directly, but at the end of the day, we all suffer from pollution and climate change.
. We need more local movements like this to push for real change. And yeah, let's hope ExxonMobil's pause is permanent 
. The world needs more companies like Patagonia and IKEA who are already moving towards sustainability.
. We all have the power to make a difference, no matter how small it may seem. So let's keep fighting for our planet, shall we? 
Diane Wilson is literally the real MVP! I mean, 77 and still going strong, fighting for what's right? 
She's got major spirit and isn't afraid to take on big oil 
. And let's be real, that $50m settlement is no joke 
. It's amazing she was able to expose Formosa Plastics' toxic waste dumping and get a Clean Water Act settlement. The fact that ExxonMobil paused their plans is just the beginning 
- we need this movement to continue! The climate crisis is real, and it's time for us to make some noise 
. Long live Diane Wilson! 
. gotta keep pushing for change, or else we'll be stuck with another generation of plastic pollution 
I've got the tea on ExxonMobil's pause plans 
and honestly, it's a game-changer for Texas coastal communities 
. Diane Wilson is a total boss 
.
. With Exxon expanding drilling, petrochemical production, and greenwashing efforts behind the scenes, it's clear they're just slowing down the clock 
️ on real change. We need permanent pauses, not temporary ones 
.
but it's hard to shake off their dirty past 
. Wilson's activism has shown that local communities will no longer be ignored or silenced 
. It's time for Exxon (and other fossil fuel companies) to commit to a new path – one that doesn't sacrifice the planet for profits 
. We need more people like Diane Wilson standing up for what's right and refusing to back down 
.
! It's about time big oil companies faced some accountability 
It's heartbreaking. The fact that Exxon is just trying to slow down development as a way out is just a cop-out 
. We need to be holding these corporations accountable for their actions, not just slapping them with fines 
I'm so grateful that Diane has brought attention to this issue and forced Exxon to pause its plans. But let's be real, it's not over yet 
. We need to keep pushing for a fossil fuel-free future 
. We should all take note from Diane's example and stand up for what we believe in 
she's been leading the charge against Formosa Plastics' toxic waste dumping in coastal Texas for years, and her determination is literally inspiring 
. And don't even get me started on the environmental impact - we're still producing plastic at a rate that's basically unsustainable... it's like, we know climate change is real, but are we just gonna keep going down this road until it's too late? 
. ExxonMobil thinks they can just slow down their plans, but I think it's all just a game. They're gonna keep on drilling, producing that toxic stuff till the cows come home 
. We need to have a more nuanced conversation about how we transition away from oil and towards cleaner energy sources 
.
. Now she's forced Exxon to pause its plans, sending a message that local communities won't be silenced or ignored 
.
, it's time for corporations like ExxonMobil to take responsibility for their actions 
.