[StBernard] [r6news] EPA enforcement actions in Louisiana cut pollution, restore environment

[Westley Annis]

 (Dallas, Texas – November 15, 2006)  More than $4.9 billion in
environmental improvements were secured and more than 890 million pounds
of pollution were reduced as a result of U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency enforcement activities this year.

A total of $1.3 billion in environmental improvements and 181 million
pounds in pollution reductions were realized across the region
comprising Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

 “We could not have achieved this successful level of results without
the teamwork of our state environmental departments,” EPA Regional
Administrator Richard E. Greene said.  “Our enforcement professionals
work very closely and very effectively with their state counterparts to
ensure a cleaner environment and healthier communities.”

EPA’s enforcement numbers were released today by its Office of
Enforcement and Compliance Assurance as part of its end-of-year report
for fiscal year 2006, which ended September 30.

Among the Agency’s enforcement achievements for Louisiana is the
unprecedented response it conducted in collaboration with the Louisiana
Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) in the aftermath of
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  EPA and LDEQ worked jointly on a host of
activities associated with hurricane recovery efforts, including
bringing the New Orleans sewage treatment plant back online after the
storms.

EPA also helped the state achieve improvements in its air quality as
part of a national agreement with Valero Energy Corp.  The company will
reduce annual emissions from its facilities by more than 20,500 tons
nationally and will spend more than $456 million to make corrections at
its facilities across the region.

In addition to enforcement actions, EPA provided help to more than 7,228
regional businesses and individuals in understanding and complying with
environmental responsibilities during the past year.

The EPA enforcement program is a vital tool in ensuring compliance with
the nation’s environmental laws and inspiring businesses, governments,
and others to focus on pollution prevention.  More information on the
EPA FY2006 enforcement and compliance program is available at
www.epa.gov/region6/6en/06-axn-highlights.html#la.

For more information about activities in EPA Region 6, please visit
www.epa.gov/region6.
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