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Environmental groups across the country are urging Senator Schumer to schedule confirmation votes as soon as possible for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) nominees Dr. Carlton Waterhouse and Professor David Uhlmann. These highly qualified nominees have the broad support of environmental and environmental justice organizations, representing millions of people throughout the country. Filling these positions swiftly is critical to EPA’s mission to equitably protect public health and our environment.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said in court filings this week it will review loopholes in the national air toxics standards covering petroleum refineries and ethylene production sources, also known as ethane crackers. Rather than ensuring facilities prevent emissions related to foreseeable incidents like storms, loss of power, or severe weather, loopholes allow refineries and petrochemical plants to release uncontrolled cancer-causing air pollution by simply claiming a malfunction.