Rights groups seek stricter EPA regulation of industrial air toxics

Civil rights groups representing the majority Black community in Louisiana’s St. John the Baptist Parish are petitioning EPA to use its emergency Clean Air Act powers to abate risks the area faces from industrial emissions of air toxics, and also review and revise the agency’s existing regulations designed to curb the pollutants. The May 6 petition filed on behalf of the residents by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Earthjustice and the group Citizens of St. John asks...