Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit Monday against Darling Ingredients, alleging its Bastrop rendering plant emits noxious odors violating state air quality laws. Residents within 10 miles describe smells resembling "boiling blood" and burning feathers, with regulators documenting hundreds of complaints since October 2024. The state seeks up to $1 million in penalties and immediate odor mitigation.

Irving-based Darling processes poultry byproducts and used cooking oil into animal feed, operations the state claims release excessive hydrogen sulfide – a toxic gas smelling like rotten eggs. Despite Texas Commission on Environmental Quality orders to address violations, regulators allege the company failed to submit adequate odor control plans or maintain required equipment records.

The lawsuit marks an escalation in a months-long battle as Bastrop residents report health impacts and property value concerns. Darling maintains its commitment to community safety, directing critics to a website about mitigation efforts. However, state attorneys argue the company prioritizes production over compliance, with Paxton vowing to enforce Texas Clean Air Act standards.

Quick Fact: The lawsuit was filed February 7, 2025.