Laurene Allen | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation(s) | Environmental health activist, community organizer |
| Known for | Advocacy against PFAS contamination in New Hampshire |
| Awards | Goldman Environmental Prize (2025) |
Laurene Allen is an American community and environmental health activist based in Merrimack, New Hampshire. She is known for her work addressing contamination from PFAS linked to the Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics plant in Merrimack. In 2025, Allen received the Goldman Environmental Prize for North America for her community-based efforts to raise awareness of PFAS pollution and advocate for stronger environmental protections in New Hampshire. [1] [2]
Allen has lived in Merrimack since the 1980s and previously worked as a clinical social worker. [3] She became involved in environmental issues after local water tests revealed elevated PFAS levels in 2016. [2] At that time, the contamination was traced to emissions from the nearby Saint-Gobain facility.
Following the discovery, Allen helped organize residents to seek more information from state agencies and the company involved. [4] She co-founded the group Merrimack Citizens for Clean Water, which began hosting meetings, collecting data on affected households, and advocating for remediation. [1] The organization later helped establish the National PFAS Contamination Coalition, linking communities facing similar pollution issues across the United States. [5]
Allen and other local advocates pressed for increased testing, bottled water distribution, and long-term cleanup under state supervision. [6] Their sustained advocacy contributed to new state water regulations on PFAS limits and public treatment systems. [7]
In 2023, Saint-Gobain announced it would permanently close its Merrimack facility, citing economic factors and regulatory uncertainty. [6] Local reporting described the decision as a result of ongoing scrutiny and enforcement actions following years of complaints from residents and environmental groups. [8] Cleanup and remediation efforts remain under review by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. [9]
In April 2025, Allen was named the North American recipient of the Goldman Environmental Prize. [1] The award recognized her efforts to mobilize affected residents, promote community health research, and encourage policy changes to reduce PFAS exposure. [10] [11] The prize citation highlighted her evidence-based advocacy and involvement in environmental justice initiatives. [1]