Tagged: Department of Environmental Quality

GEISMAR — A Houston-based chemical company contends it should not be penalized for a March plant fire at its vinyl chloride complex here because an unexpected and unprecedented chemical chain reaction touched off the fire.

A new audit says the state Department of Environmental Quality didn't have proper controls over a state program meant to keep tires from being dumped illegally, allowing overpayments.

The report from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor's Office says DEQ allows waste tire processors to weigh their own tire shipments, rather than confirming the weight through a third party. Since the payments are based on weight, the audit says the lack of confirmation gives processors an ability to overstate what they've done.

Two environmental groups are asking the federal government to take over the state Department of Environmental Quality. The request is sparked by four accidents over the past two months.

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality is going to hold a free workshop about asbestos and lead regulations on May 23. It will summarize changes in asbestos regulations and any changes in rules for lead-based paint. The workshop is open to the public.