Louisiana must now clean up sulfur dioxide in Evangeline Parish

US environmental regulators have approved Louisiana's plan to reduce sulfur dioxide pollution in Evangeline Parish. This means the state must now enforce specific measures, including an agreement with a local chemical plant, to meet federal air quality standards.

For years, areas that failed to meet federal air quality standards often faced long delays in implementing cleanup plans. This approval means Louisiana's plan for Evangeline Parish is now legally binding and must be put into action. It sets a clear path for reducing a specific pollutant in a specific area, shifting from planning to enforcement.