Congressman McGarvey Writes to EPA Urging Continued Oversight into Louisville Public Health and Safety After UPS Flight Crash
WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 1, 2025) – Today, Congressman Morgan McGarvey sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin urging continued oversight of the crash site with regard to the public health and safety of Louisvillians.
On November 4, UPS Airlines Flight 2976 crashed during departure from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. The plane crash tragically killed fourteen people, including three crew members, and over a dozen were injured.
“Our community is heartbroken by the immediate loss of life, and we mourn for and with our friends and neighbors,” the Congressman wrote. “We are also concerned with the long-term public health implications of this accident.”
Flight 2976 was carrying approximately 220,000 pounds of jet fuel when it caught fire. The airplane wreckage was spread over a wide area and significantly fragmented and burned. While there were no hazardous materials directly on board the flight, several businesses that store hazardous materials on-site were affected.
“I am thankful for the EPA’s quick response to coordinate with local agencies’ cleanup efforts,” McGarvey continued. “Since the incident occurred on November 4th, crews have recovered close to 95 percent of the oil from the crash, or around 880,000 gallons of oil-water mix, and contained oil coverage within the impacted waterway. Thanks to the coordinated efforts between federal, state, and local agencies, Louisville’s public drinking water has been and remains safe for consumption in the wake of the crash.”
McGarvey requested EPA continue to play an active role, alongside the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection, in overseeing the site and keeping the Congressional office informed about any updates regarding public health and safety.
Read the full letter here.
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