Congressman Troy Carter Welcomes EPA Administrator Michael Regan’s Upcoming Visit to Southeast Louisiana

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. welcomes Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan’s upcoming visit to the Second Congressional District of Louisiana. The Administrator is visiting the region at the request of the Congressman and community groups and leaders as a part of his environmental justice listening tour.

Congressman Troy Carter has previously written the EPA Administrator calling for federal assistance to study and improve the public health and environmental impacts of emissions and polluting substances generated in the industrial hub of Louisiana’s River Parishes.

There has been longstanding concern for environmental justice issues in the industrial corridor of the River Parishes, especially regarding the elevated and disproportionate rates of cancer and respiratory conditions in the region.

“I am grateful that EPA Administrator Michael Regan is able to visit my district to highlight the issues of environmental justice in southeast Louisiana,” said Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. “Communities in in New Orleans and the River Parishes have been concerned about issues of environmental justice for a long time, and this tour by EPA leadership is a first step toward building trust and forwarding actions on environmental justice. It is my hope that these meetings will lead to action and will bring the type of accountability, monitoring, research, and support that communities desperately need.

He continues, “While I believe that industry and communities can coexist, the health and safety of communities must always come first. Lives are on the line, and a strong partnership with this agency will help us make needed changes to protect our communities. I am confident that the EPA will move quickly to provide independent, third-party air monitoring and a cumulative health impact study as I requested.”

EPA Administrator Michael Regan provided the following comment: “At the urging of Congressman Troy Carter, I look forward to visiting Louisiana, where I’ll be on the ground with community members who are on the frontlines of fighting for environmental justice.”

Due to conflicting votes in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Troy Carter will not be able to join Administrator Regan in person.

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