EPA head proposes new pollution cuts at chemical plants during Louisiana visit

Photo courtesy of Associated Press

EPA Administrator Michael Regan returned to Louisiana last week, announcing proposed new rules aimed at reducing pollution at more than 200 facilities nationwide as he spoke in the shadow of a controversial chemical plant in St. John the Baptist Parish, reports NOLA.com.

The proposal is part of a push by Regan to address environmental justice issues and his visit followed another to the same area in 2021, his first year in office. Most of the plants that would be affected are located in Louisiana and Texas, home to some 51 and 80 respectively. A public comment period on the proposal will follow.

The proposed rule changes target emissions of known or likely carcinogens, including chloroprene, ethylene oxide, benzene, 1,3-butadiene, and vinyl chloride, used in the manufacture of a variety of plastics and synthetic rubber materials. Read the entire story.