Louisiana Lawmakers Unanimously Request Open Burning Study

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — The Department of Environmental Quality will study the open burning of hazardous waste in Louisiana, under a resolution from state lawmakers.

With a 92-0 vote Tuesday, the House gave final passage to the resolution from Rep. Gene Reynolds, a Minden Democrat. The Senate already had unanimously approved it.

Open burning critics say it poisons the air and drinking water.

Reynolds originally proposed to ban such burning statewide, responding to concerns from people who live near Clean Harbors, a Colfax waste disposal company. But he couldn't gain traction for the idea.

Instead, the resolution asks DEQ to collect and study water, soil and air samples in Colfax. It also asks DEQ and Clean Harbors to form a "dialogue committee" to discuss cleaner burning options.

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House Concurrent Resolution 118: www.legis.la.gov

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