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The holiday season is here—a time for joy, community, and festive cheer. But for the communities of Ingleside, Ingleside on the Bay, and the greater Coastal Bend area, there’s a looming threat that could dampen that holiday spirit. If the YaREN Ammonia Project gets the green light, it’s not jingle bells they’ll be hearing—it’s alarm bells.
The YaREN facility, a project by Yara (a Norwegian company) and Enbridge (a Canadian company), is set to release a staggering 66 tons of toxic chemicals into the air annually. This includes carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide.
These emissions are not just numbers on paper—they pose real health risks to nearby residents. Just three miles away from the proposed plant sits Ingleside Primary School, where young children will be exposed to toxic air with potentially life-threatening consequences. The production of ammonia is a dangerous and complex process, often linked to leaks, transportation accidents, and catastrophic failures. Across the globe, ammonia-related incidents have led to injuries, deaths, and long-term environmental damage.
If that wasn’t troubling enough, Yara and Enbridge failed to show up to a recent TCEQ public meeting in Portland, Texas—an opportunity for them to address community concerns and answer questions.
When a company plans to profit at the expense of public health while refusing to engage with those most affected, they earn a spot on the Naughty Polluter List—and Yara and Enbridge are front and center. For the Coastal Bend, this isn’t just about air quality; it’s about protecting the safety, health, and future of the children and families who call this region home.
In 2024, the Coastal Bend community made their voices heard about the risks of the YaREN Ammonia Project. In 2025, we will be alongside them advocating for accountability, and holding Yara and Enbridge responsible for their actions—or lack thereof.
