Cattle graze in a pasture next to the Denka Performance Elastomer facility in LaPlace, where U.S. Environmental Protection Agency leader Michael Regan announced proposed regulations Thursday, April 6, 2023, for toxic air emissions. The federal government has sued Denka for failing to reduce levels of chloroprene, a known carcinogen, coming from the plant. (Greg LaRose/Louisiana Illuminator)
LAPLACE — Top Louisiana officials are lining up in support of a St. John the Baptist Parish petrochemical plant, in defiance of a federal regulation that Gov. Jeff Landry says is unfair.
As a show of support, Landry held a news conference Monday at the Denka Performance Elastomers facility in LaPlace flanked by Attorney General Liz Murrill and Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Auriella Giacometto.
Landry railed against a new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rule that he says could shut down the plant and accused the Biden administration of targeting a single company. As a result, Louisiana jobs could be lost to China, the governor said.