Congressman Carter Stands with EPA, Community Advocates, and Concerned Citizens of St. John to Protect Public Health

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) reiterated his strong support for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and their commitment to reduce emissions from chemical plants. This follows an announcement that the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) granted the Denka Performance Elastomer (DPA) a two-year extension to comply with EPA’s rule to reduce toxic air pollution.

“Louisianians deserve to breathe clean air and drink clean water without fear for their health,” said Rep. Carter. “My district has the highest cancer risk of any place in the United States – that is unacceptable. We must pursue proper regulations. We must listen to the people who are impacted at home, who undoubtedly have suffered the cost of being near petrochemical plants — but not just chemical plants, chemical plants that don’t follow the rules. I am not anti-industry; I am anti-violator. When people and communities come first, we can achieve coexistence.”

In April, Congressman Carter joined EPA Administrator Michael Regan to announce a final rule that will reduce toxic air pollution from chemical plants, including ethylene oxide (EtO) and chloroprene. This action will significantly reduce emissions of pollutants both in Louisiana and nationally, including reducing chloroprene from the Denka Performance Elastomer (DPE) facility in LaPlace, Louisiana, the largest source of these toxic emissions in the country. The DPE facility is within the Mississippi River Chemical Corridor. Last week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit refused to block this new federal rule. This ruling requires Denka to reduce its emissions of chloroprene by October 15, 2024.

“Over the last eight years, Louisiana and LDEQ have extended permission after permission for the Denka chemical plant to harm our community,” said Robert Taylor, Executive Director of Concerned Citizens of St. John the Baptist Parish. “They would rather believe Denka’s science over the EPA’s and expose us to toxic emissions. Governor Landry has no respect for our people or the federal government. They think they’re above the law and it is outrageous. It’s time for the madness to end.”

“End run around EPA authority to protect the health of Louisiana residents,” said LTG Russel Honoré, Retired, Leader of the GreenARMY, whose mission is to find solutions for pollution.

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