PUSHING BACK

12 States Sue EPA Over Chemical Safety Rule Delay

State AGs say the EPA is putting “special interests before the health and safety of the people they serve.”

Twelve states are suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over its June decision to delay implementation of its updated chemical safety rule that was finalized in January under the Obama administration, The Hill reported Monday. The state attorneys general, led by New York’s Eric Schneiderman, argue the rule is important for “protecting our workers, first-responders and communities from chemical accidents” and that by delaying its implementation, the EPA is putting “special interests before the health and safety of the people they serve.” The EPA announced last month that it will not implement an updated “Risk Management Plan” until 2019. Chemical companies have come out against the updated safety plan, arguing that it could create security and compliance problems.