For environmental activists in the River Parishes, it is a long-fought victory. On Thursday, EPA Administrator Michael Regan revealed the agency will be tightening restrictions on chemical pollution. He made the announcement in LaPlace less than two miles from the plant owned by Denka Performance Elastomer. Regan said he chose the site after visiting St. John Parish in 2021. "I met with families all across this community. And nearly every person that I spoke with knew someone who suffered from an illness that they believed was connected to the pollution in the air they breathe," Regan said. According to the EPA, the new regulations will reduce emissions of toxic chemicals by more than 6,000 tons a year. Once that happens, 96% of people who live near chemical plants will not be considered "at risk." MORE: https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/local/st-john/st-john-activists-welcome-new-pollution-limits/289-ba9af3ed-9a5b-40d9-bc53-e3a89c542938