[StBernard] News Release (Region 6): EPA enforcement in Louisiana continues to cut pollution

[Westley Annis]

EPA enforcement in Louisiana continues to cut pollution 
Polluters agree to spend $11.8 billion on environmental controls and cleanup
nationwide   

(Dallas, Texas - December 4, 2008)  More than $11.8 billion in environmental
improvements were secured and an estimated four billion pounds of pollution
will be prevented as a result of enforcement actions by the Environmental
Protection Agency this year.  Both figures represent record highs for the
agency.    

Results for cases with facilities in Louisiana brought nearly 176 million
pounds of pollution reductions, more than $183 million in penalties and
environmental improvements, and 52 concluded enforcement actions.     

"Enforcement is a vital part of EPA's commitment to protecting the
environment and public health," said EPA Regional Administrator Richard E.
Greene.  "As a result of these efforts, communities throughout Louisiana
will benefit from less pollution and more investments by industry to better
control pollutants.  I commend the work of our staff and environmental
partners on a job well done."     

EPA's enforcement numbers were released today by its Office of Enforcement
and Compliance Assurance as part of its fiscal year 2008 accomplishments
report.  The report outlines some of the agency's notable achievements in
the areas of civil and criminal enforcement, compliance assistance, public
health, environmental justice and international cooperation.    

A total of $565 million in environmental improvements, 437 million pounds in
pollution reductions and two billion pounds of treated or disposed hazardous
waste were realized across the region comprising Arkansas, Louisiana, New
Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.      

Among the agency's enforcement achievements for Louisiana is the national
E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co. settlement, which will eliminate more than
13,000 tons of harmful emissions annually from four sulfuric acid production
plants in Louisiana, Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky.  Louisiana partnered with
EPA and will receive $550,000 of the $4.1 million civil penalty.  DuPont
will also spend at least $66 million on air pollution controls by installing
state-of-the-art "dual absorption" pollution control equipment at the
Darrow, Louisiana, facility.       

EPA also partnered with the State of Louisiana in a multi-regional case
against Equistar Chemicals LP.  Nationally, Equistar will spend more than
$125 million on pollution controls and cleanup to address a myriad of air,
water and hazardous waste violations at seven petrochemical plants in
Louisiana, Texas, Illinois, and Iowa.  The company's investment in
comprehensive control and operational measures is expected to significantly
reduce air, water and hazardous waste pollution from the facilities.
Louisiana will receive $178,600 of the $2.5 million penalty, and Equistar
will pay at least $25,000 to the Louisiana Department of Environmental
Quality to establish a fund to support hurricane cleanup and recovery
activities.      

In addition to enforcement actions, EPA provided help to more than 12,421
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.  Additional information on the 2008
enforcement and compliance results is available at
http://www.epa.gov/earth1r6/6en/08-axns.htm
<http://www.epa.gov/earth1r6/6en/08-axns.htm> . 

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

An EPA audio file is available at
http://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/audio.htm#audio120408_eoy_la
<http://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/audio.htm#audio120408_eoy_la> . 

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