The Cleo Fields Air Monitoring Bill
Under a new law currently working its way through the
Louisiana state legislature:
- Facilities that emit pollution, like refineries, chemical plants, and other fossil fuel infrastructure will be required to install air monitoring equipment to detect spikes in emissions and any leaks of toxic substances into the air.
- The facilities themselves would need to pay for the equipment and for any costs related to ongoing air monitoring.
- Data compiled by new air monitoring equipment would need to be available publicly in real time.
- Any detected exceedance of air quality standards or other detected public health threat would need to be immediately sent to first responders and local municipalities.
- Anyone living near any facility required to install air monitoring equipment would also be able to sign up for real-time phone or text alerts.
- Facilities would need to maintain ongoing air monitoring and keep records of all monitoring activity for five years.