NEW YORK - For more than a year, the Environmental Protection Agency investigated whether Louisiana officials allegedly discriminated against Black residents by putting them a higher risk of cancer.
Federal officials said they had found evidence of discrimination and were pressuring the state to strengthen oversight of air pollution from industrial plants.
A draft agreement, obtained by The Associated Press, shows Louisiana health officials were open to stronger oversight.
But the federal government dropped its investigation in June before getting any commitments from Louisiana.
Advocates said it was a missed opportunity, especially for those who live near refineries in a stretch of the state commonly called “Cancer Alley.”
Experts say the Biden administration, facing a federal court challenge to the investigation, may have worried that a loss would limit its investigative power. But activists expressed concern that dropping the investigation weakened the administration’s fight against environmental discrimination.
The EPA can still pursue environmental discrimination and go after wrongdoing when companies violate regulations, but there isn’t a law specifically aimed at environmental justice. That makes the agency’s work harder. (The AP 11/02/23) Louisiana Was Open to Cancer Alley Concessions, Then EPA Dropped Investigation - Biz New Orleans
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