Laurene Allen

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.

Background Allen has lived in Merrimack since the 1980s and previously worked as a clinical social worker. She became involved in environmental issues after local water tests revealed elevated PFAS levels in 2016. She co-founded the group Merrimack Citizens for Clean Water, which began hosting meetings, collecting data on affected households, and advocating for remediation.

Allen and other local advocates pressed for increased testing, bottled water distribution, and long-term cleanup under state supervision. Their sustained advocacy contributed to new state water regulations on PFAS limits and public treatment systems.

Closure of the Saint-Gobain plant In 2023, Saint-Gobain announced it would permanently close its Merrimack facility, citing economic factors and regulatory uncertainty. Cleanup and remediation efforts remain under review by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.

Recognition In April 2025, Allen was named the North American recipient of the Goldman Environmental Prize. The prize citation highlighted her evidence-based advocacy and involvement in environmental justice initiatives.