Oct 15 Reuters - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Epa) announced on Friday it would investigate the Texas Air regulator over allegations of racism in rulings involving pollution in Black neighborhoods by a refinery waste recycler
The agency accepted a complaint against the state over its oversight of the Port Arthur, Texas-based Oxbow Calcining, which produces petroleum coke from oil refinery byproducts.
An environmental advocacy group has alleged the state's air quality regulator violated citizens' civil rights by allowing the plant to operate without a scrubber to capture sulfur dioxide. Between 2016 and 2019, the plant released approximately 22 million pounds of sulfur dioxide a year, an eye and lung irritant, over predominantly low-income and black areas.
A spokesperson for Texas Commission on Environmental Quality said it was reviewing the complaint.
I am impressed by the response of Port Arthur City Councilor and founder of advocacy group John Beard, who has started the EPA inquiry into our concerns.
The plant is part of William Koch's Oxbow Corporation, one of the largest recyclers of oil refinery and natural gas byproducts. The company was not immediately available for comment.
Within a three mile radius of the Port Arthur Plant, the population is 98% people of color and 62% low income, the group said.
EPA said it would pursue preliminary dispute and alternative resolution processes to settle the complaint and, if unable to reach an agreement, would look to deliver alternatives within 180 days of launching the investigation.