"The rule would chiefly affect plants along the Gulf Coast, the Ohio River Valley and in West Virginia."
"WASHINGTON — The Biden administration on Thursday proposed a new regulation to significantly reduce hazardous air pollutants from chemical plants, a move that environmental advocates predicted would significantly reduce the health risks to by people living near industrial sites.
The proposed Environmental Protection Agency rule calls on chemical plants to monitor and reduce the amount of toxic pollutants released in the air, including the carcinogens ethylene oxide, an ingredient in antifreeze, and chloroprene, which is used to make the rubber in footwear.
The proposed rule would affect the vast majority of chemical manufacturers, applying to more than 200 facilities spread across Texas and Louisiana; elsewhere along the Gulf Coast; the Ohio River Valley; and West Virginia. It would update several regulations governing emissions from chemical plants, some of which have not been tightened in nearly 20 years.
The action is part of the Biden administration’s effort to address the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards facing communities that surround chemical plants. Known as fenceline communities, they are generally low-income, minority neighborhoods with elevated rates of asthma, cancer and other health problems."
Coral Davenport and Lisa Friedman report for the New York Times April 6, 2023.
SEE ALSO:
"EPA Proposes Slashing Hazardous Chemical Plant Emissions" (E&E News)
"U.S. Chemical Plants Would Have to Make Big Changes Under New EPA Rule" (Earther)
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