Two years ago, an ammonia manufacturer built a $26 million, natural-gas powered boiler on Cornerstone Chemical Company's property in Waggaman without obtaining state or local permits .

Neighbors expressed outrage and distrust, and local elected officials called the move "extremely disturbing." In Jefferson Parish Council hearings, Cornerstone apologized to the public.

But when the time came for the parish to take punitive action against Cornerstone or its tenant, Dyno Nobel, it couldn't levy a fine of more than $500 because of a little-known state law restricting the maximum penalties for violations of Jefferson Parish ordinances.

Jefferson Parish successfully lobbied the Legislature in 2024 to repeal the law . On Wednesday, the Parish Council will formalize new rules that dramati

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