Laws in Louisiana and other states now curb the use of community-collected data. In Louisiana, public air monitors are often located miles from major industrial polluters and fail to test for some of the most dangerous chemicals.
Though experts say there is no evidence the medication is harming drinking water or wildlife, Republican attorneys general and members of Congress are calling on the EPA to investigate and regulate mifepristone as a potential water contaminant.
More than 180 polluting facilities nationwide, including dozens in Louisiana, emailed requests. Many were granted a two-year pause on compliance with Clean Air Act rules.
Because President Trump issued a controversial executive order last month that deemed glyphosate/Roundup as critical to national security, the Supreme Court ruling could reshape pesticide regulation and test Trump's base from within.
Last year, Louisiana legislators passed a “million-dollar muzzle,” which barred the use of community-gathered air-quality data to advocate for pollution control and enforcement, with fines as high as $1 million per violation.
