Industry remains cautious with upcoming EPA changes

No doubt much of the local petrochemical industry is relieved by this week’s announcement that Lisa Jackson, who has been administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency for the past four years, is stepping down. Her tenure has been tumultuous, and she has opposed measures like hydraulic fracturing that are strongly favored by industry both for its energy and economic development potential. But local industry leaders are not crowing about Jackson’s departure. Rather, they are circumspect in their reaction. “It’s normal for the majority of a president’s first-term team to move on after his re-election, and we expected that Administrator Jackson would do so,” says Dan Borné, president of the Louisiana Chemical Association. “Rather than looking back on her tenure, it’s best to look ahead and to plan a meaningful dialogue with her permanent successor.” While the process to replace Jackson—a New Orleans native and graduate of Tulane University—plays out, Borné says the LPA has already had a meeting with the newly appointed administrator for EPA’s region six, Ron Curry. Says Borné: “He has outstanding administrative, regulatory and business experience, and most of our interaction with EPA over the next few months will be with him and his regional staff.” –Stephanie Riegel