[StBernard] Compliance and Enforcement News Release (Region 6): EPA reports end-of-year enforcement results for Louisiana

[Westley Annis]

EPA reports end-of-year enforcement results for Louisiana  

(Dallas, Texas - November 15, 2007)  Enforcement activities by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency produced historic results from industry,
government, and other regulated entities to protect the nation's air, water,
and land in fiscal year 2007.  The record $10.6 billion in pollution
controls and environmental projects to achieve compliance with federal
environmental laws exceeds the previous record of $10.2 billion set in
FY2006. 

In Louisiana, EPA achieved more than 84 million pounds of pollution
reductions, more than $43 million in penalties and environmental
improvements, and concluded 62 enforcement cases with facilities in the
state. 

"EPA is committed to safeguarding our nation's environmental health through
effective compliance assistance and a strong enforcement program," said EPA
Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene.  "Today's report shows that we
continue to make significant progress in protecting people and the
environment."  

EPA's enforcement numbers were released today by its Office of Enforcement
and Compliance Assurance as part of its end-of-year report for FY 2007,
which ended September 30.  

Among the Agency's enforcement achievements for Louisiana is working with
state counterparts to achieve cleaner air and safer drinking water for
residents.  EPA partnered with the Louisiana Department of Environmental
Quality in a national settlement against acid manufacturer Rhodia Inc.
Under the settlement, for Region 6 facilities, Rhodia will pay $667,000 in
penalties and spend $40 million on air pollution controls.  These controls
are expected to reduce harmful emissions of sulfur dioxide from its plants
in Texas and Louisiana by an estimated 18,000 tons.   

EPA also worked with the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (LDHH)
to bring several public water supply systems in northeast Louisiana into
compliance with safe drinking water requirements.  Inspections conducted by
EPA and LDHH resulted in 17 administrative orders requiring the facilities
to take the necessary actions to ensure the quality and safety of drinking
water for residents.  

Total enforcement results for EPA Region 6 included more than 92 million
pounds of pollution reductions, more than $237 million in environmental
improvements, and 674 enforcement cases concluded with facilities across
Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.  In addition, EPA
provided help to 11,839 regional businesses and individuals in understanding
and complying with environmental responsibilities. 

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 FY2007
enforcement and compliance program is available at
http://www.epa.gov/earth1r6/6en/07-axns.htm
<http://www.epa.gov/earth1r6/6en/07-axns.htm> .  

To learn more about activities in EPA Region 6, please visit
http://www.epa.gov/region6 <http://www.epa.gov/region6> .      

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