The Denka plant in Reserve, has received an extension from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to meet the EPA’s new emissions standards for chloroprene, a carcinogenic chemical used in neoprene production. Denka claims the initial 90-day compliance period is too short to achieve the necessary reductions without risking a shutdown of the facility, which employs around 250 people. DEQ Secretary Aurelia Giacometto…
“It is impossible to retrofit Denka and implement those reduction emission in 90-days.”
The EPA filed a complaint against Denka, citing the plant’s emissions as a substantial public health risk, particularly due to the increased cancer risk.
“So effectively EPA’s rule is a stop order for this company. And if that happens…that means business and our products go to China,” Giacometto said.
While activists view the EPA’s strict deadlines as a victory for public health, Denka has criticized the new regulations as politically motivated and based on flawed science, warning of economic repercussions if the plant is forced to shut down.
“That two year extension was granted and that will give Denka and its employees the courts time to make that decision while Denka continues to operate, reducing its omissions and monitoring,” Giacometto said
The extension from the DEQ will provide Denka additional time to comply with the new standards without an immediate shut down operations.
