Legislation requiring air monitoring systems in certain permitted facilities advanced from the Senate Environmental Committee. Author of the bill – Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields says companies would have to maintain monitoring data records.
“The bill requires real-time data must be collected, processed, and transmitted so that the air quality standard can be identified and addressed and the state and local communities be warned.”
Senate Bill 35 would also require all facilities in Louisiana that produce toxic chemicals to alert communities nearby when air quality reaches dangerous levels. The measure was passed in a 4-1 vote. Gonzales Senator Eddie Lambert was the only lawmaker to oppose the bill.
A proponent of the bill, Retired Army Lieutenant General Russell Honore says a recent chlorine leak near Iberville Parish sent residents to the hospital.
“The plant operator was saying that everything inside the fence. Thirty-four people were in the hospital. We attribute that to not having an automated air monitoring that goes straight to the people.”
Many industrial plants have similar systems in place but don’t alert communities nearby when a leak occurs.
“It’s worth it for the safety of our people. Nobody’s trying to put the plants out of business. We just want them to comply and when something breaks, the community knows.”
The cost related to installing and maintaining is $18,000 and each plant would incur the expense. Fields bill failed four times previously.
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