Democrats' Plant Safety Inquiries Seen Driving EPA Regulatory Changes

摘要

Key Democrats are launching separate inquiries into EPA and other federal agencies' oversight of the fertilizer facility that exploded last month, killing as many as 15 people, efforts that will consider whether to strengthen current laws, though most observers believe the inquiries will likely drive stricter regulatory requirements. "EPA is historically timid and having a hearing ... is a little bit like having somebody sue them and that could force them into action," says one environmentalist.