EPA ends safety rules put in place after deadly Texas blast
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - The Trump administration is scaling back chemical plant safety measures that were put in place after a Texas fertilizer plant explosion in 2013 that killed 15 people.
The changes announced Thursday by the Environmental Protection Agency include ending a requirement that plants provide members of the public information about chemical risks upon request.
The Obama era rules followed a fire at the West Fertilizer Co. plant that caused ammonium nitrate to ignite, triggering a massive explosion that ripped open a large crater. Ten firefighters were among those killed.
EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler says the changes do away with 'Å“unnecessary administrative burdens.'Å¥ Chemical manufacturers had pushed for the changes.
Environmental groups criticized the decision as one that would put people living near chemical plants at greater risk.