Monday, April 15, 2024

Looks like a new EPA rule will finally make an impact on air quality for vulnerable communities living near chemical plants!

Happy Monday and welcome back to another week of ESC News Blog!

Did anyone happen to read The Houston Chronicle’s Business Section on April 10, 2024, their article titled, “Plants in Texas face tough rules on emissions”?  The article was on the topic of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) finalized rule, which was published Tuesday, April 9th in which chemical facilities will have to monitor the air quality around their facilities for a list of chemicals which have an adverse health effect on those living around the facility.  The list of chemicals which include 1,3-butadiene, benzene, ethylene oxide, and vinyl oxide to name a few.  The finalized rule is in an attempt to rein in air pollution and help protect the communities around chemical facilities, and it is only a part of the group of rules when combined will make a difference for those who live and work near these facilities.  The new rule will affect over 200 chemical facilities nationwide who are mostly located in Texas, Louisiana, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky.  The newly released rule has been updated since the proposed draft, and it now includes companies receiving a longer time period to get their equipment and systems operating, and they did away with the limits on flaring chemicals to mention a couple.  The EPA believes the new rule will guard these communities and improve quality of life which many communities have been requesting in recent times.  This new clean air standard combined with the other new EPA rules is showing how this administration values both the company and the communities which surround them!  If you would like to read more of The Houston Chronicle’s article for free on Microsoft Start, please click the link: Texas chemical plants face stringent EPA emissions rules (msn.com).

If you would like to see the EPA’s announcement for the new rule for Clean Air Standards for Chemical Plants, please click the link: Biden-Harris Administration Finalizes Stronger Clean Air Standards for Chemical Plants, Lowering Cancer Risk and Advancing Environmental Justice | US EPA.

If you would like to see the EPA’s new rule on Chemical Plants, please click the link: Final Rule to Strengthen Standards for Synthetic Organic Chemical Plants and Polymersand Resins Plants | US EPA

Before this new EPA goes into effect, let us help you look into how to reduce your emissions, and help adopt best practices, contact us via email in the blog and check out our ESC's website!

We hope you have a wonderful evening!

**Disclaimer: You may be charged a fee to read The Houston Chronicle’s article. **