"Tightened EPA Chemical Safety Regs At Risk"

"Industry is pressing Congress to ditch safety upgrades made in wake of deadly West, Texas, plant explosion".

"Environmental health advocates are pressing Sen. Mitch McConnell to make sure Congress doesn't throw out new chemical safety rules that were adopted in the waning days of the Obama administration.

McConnell's spokesman, Rob Steurer, declined to say whether the Senate Majority Leader from Louisville wants those U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rules killed, as an Oklahoma lawmaker has proposed under a procedure that allows Congress to nullify certain regulations. ...

The Courier-Journal on Dec. 27 reported that the EPA had completed a promised revamping of its risk-management requirements for businesses that store large quantities of dangerous chemicals. Indiana and Kentucky have dozens of such plants, including nearly two dozen in Louisville, some of which have had mishaps with deadly results. The risk-management plans show that people could be sickened or killed within a few miles of some facilities in the event of a worst-case scenario release, and require safety precautions be taken."

James Bruggers reports for the Louisville Courier-Journal February 28, 2017.