ROSELAND, La. (WGNO) — The Environmental Protection Agency entered a consent order with Smitty's Supply on Oct. 15, making the business "assume responsibility for the cleanup of the facility" after the Aug. 22 explosion.

After two months of leading cleanup efforts, the EPA has turned responsibility back to Smitty's Supply to continue cleaning efforts and "pay certain response costs incurred by the United States."

Due to financial barriers, Smitty's Supply withdrew from response operations in the early stages after the fire, according to the EPA. However, the EPA and the Louisiana Department for Environmental Quality decided that the EPA was in the best position to assume the role to lead cleanup efforts.

Over this time, the EPA and other agencies recovered "more than 11 million gallons

See Full Page