Lawsuit says outdated EPA flaring rules have led to more pollution
A lawsuit against the EPA is focused on regulations that target flaring at petrochemical facilities, gasoline terminals, natural gas processing plants, compressor stations and solid waste landfills.
Ten environmental organizations, including Air Alliance Houston and Environment Texas, recently sued the Environmental Protection Agency, claiming that it failed to bolster flaring rules.
The suit claims that the EPA’s failure to update the standards for flaring, the practice of burning off excess gases to prevent more toxic pollution to escape, has increased emissions. The regulations target flaring at petrochemical facilities, gasoline terminals, natural gas processing plants, compressor stations and solid waste landfills.
The environmental groups say operators don’t always conduct the practice correctly, leading to the release of gases that endanger public health and contribute to climate change.
“Time and time again, EPA has admitted that flares operating under these outdated standards can release many times more toxic air pollutants into local communities than estimated,” Adam Kron, senior attorney for the Environmental Integrity Project, the leading plaintiff in the suit, said in a statement. “This can cause serious harm to public health.”