CONTACT: Sasha Tenenbaum
Senior Manager, Media and Public Engagement
stenenbaum@momscleanairforce.org
(917) 887-0146
Washington DC – Today, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan released proposed standards for the chemical manufacturing sector to protect people from the hazardous air pollution emitted by more than 200 of the largest, most toxic chemical and plastic manufacturing facilities in the country with more than 70 facilities located in Texas.
In response to the proposal, Erandi Treviño, Texas State Coordinator for Moms Clean Air Force, released the following statement:
“Moms Clean Air Force applauds this significant and consequential move by EPA Administrator Regan. The petrochemical industry releases an exorbitant amount of toxic air pollution putting the health and well-being of families and communities located around their facilities at risk. I grew up just miles away from the Houston Ship Channel which is home to the largest refining petrochemical production complex in the country. My family and I, along with many other frontline communities have paid with their health.
“Today’s announcement is an important step in what must become a comprehensive, rigorous and long-term approach to protect the health of people impacted by the petrochemical industry’s pollution. Along the Texas Gulf Coast and the greater Houston area, petrochemical facilities are commonly sited in communities that are impacted by multiple pollution sources contributing to a cumulative pollution burden and an elevated risk of asthma attacks, respiratory illness, neurological problems, adverse birth outcomes, and cancer. Children are especially vulnerable to air pollution since their bodies are still developing and because they breathe in more air for their size compared to adults. Among the most impacted are communities of color and low-wealth neighborhoods. EPA has a fundamental duty to hold the petrochemical industry accountable and protect the health of people impacted by toxic pollution. There is no time to waste in tackling this environmental injustice.
“Stronger protections are especially urgent in light of the extensive and well documented history of non-compliance at these chemical manufacturing facilities. Of the 200 largest chemical manufacturing facilities around the country that would be covered by these standards, more than 50% are currently violating one or more of our nation’s environmental laws and more than 80% of facilities have been in noncompliance with some environmental laws in the past three years.
“Almost 60% of the facilities covered by today’s proposal are located in Texas or Louisiana. 91% of the facilities in Texas and 80% of the facilities in Louisiana have been in noncompliance with one or more environmental laws during the last three years.
Moms Clean Air Force is demanding the strongest safeguards to protect all people in front line communities–especially children–including the following components:
- Strict fenceline monitoring
- Increased flare efficiency and monitoring
- Enhanced leak detection and repair protocols
- Removal of ALL exemptions for startup, shutdown and malfunctions
- Robust precedent-setting community risk assessments
- Enhanced process controls
“Moms Clean Air Force will work with EPA to achieve the most durable, powerful and enforceable protections from petrochemical pollution for everyone.”
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