PA Lawmakers Join Other Elected Officials Calling On EPA To Prevent Chemical Disasters, Protect Workers, Prioritize Environmental Justice

On January 26,  a letter was sent by over 70 elected officials from 16 states and territories, including 14 representing Pennsylvania, to EPA Administrator Michael Regan urging meaningful reform of the federal policy that is intended to prevent chemical disasters. 

Unfortunately, explosions and toxic leaks occur regularly at high-risk chemical facilities, which disproportionately affect communities of color and low-income communities nationwide, making this a key environmental justice issue.

“The EPA has an important opportunity right now to prioritize environmental justice and stop chemical disasters,” said Rep. Mary Jo Daley (D-Montgomery). “We hope Administrator Regan will do the right thing to protect the health and safety of low-income communities and communities of color across the country by updating the RMP in a meaningful way.” 

The letter was also signed by Representatives Donna Bullock (D-Philadelphia), Nancy Guenst (D-Montgomery), Sara G. Innamorato (D-Allegheny), Jennifer O'Mara (D-Delaware), Danielle Friel Otten (D-Chester), Chris Rabb (D-Philadelphia), Benjamin Sanchez (D-Montgomery), and Michael Schlossberg (D-Lehigh), as well as Senators Amanda M. Cappelletti (D-Delaware), Carolyn T. Comitta (D-Chester), Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Committee;  Maria Collett (D-Bucks) and Steve Santarsiero (D-Bucks).

“We and our constituents are unwilling to continue living with the constant threat of chemical disasters that could destroy our neighborhoods, businesses, and communities, when safer chemicals and technologies exist,” reads the letter. “ Injuries, death and disease are not acceptable risks, and our communities are not sacrifice zones.” 

The letter centers around the EPA’s Risk Management Plan, or RMP, rule which regulates over 12,000 high-risk chemical facilities nationwide and is currently being updated. 

Legislators who have signed onto the letter urging meaningful updates to the RMP rule represent a diverse number of states and territories, including Colorado, Delaware, Guam, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Washington, DC, and West Virginia.  

Background

There are 481 RMP facilities that store, use or produce certain hazardous chemicals in the state of Pennsylvania which are regulated under the RMP rule. 

In 2019, there were a series of explosions at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES) facility that released 5,239 pounds of flammable hydrofluoric acid, and launched pieces of shrapnel as large as 19 tons across the refinery, injuring five  workers. The US Chemical Safety Board is still investigating this incident. 

The letter specifically calls for the following measures to be included in the updated RMP-- 

-- Prevent disasters by requiring hazard reduction. Many of the chemical facility incidents from the past could have been prevented if safer chemicals or processes were used in the first place. Root cause analyses of significant incidents, independent third-party safety audits, and other best practice prevention measures should also be mandatory.

-- Better prepare chemical facilities for climate impacts. This can be done by: expanding RMP coverage to more facilities in areas prone to natural disasters; building prompt implementation and compliance deadlines into new rules; requiring safer shutdown and startup procedures; collecting and publicly sharing air emissions data in real time; and requiring that communities receive timely information about natural disaster response plans in ways that are clearly communicated to those at risk.

-- Include common-sense emergency response and incident management measures. Back-up power, alerts in multiple languages (including advance community notification), real-time fenceline air monitoring, leak detection and repair, emergency response exercises, and similar best practices should not be optional.

-- Increase enforceability, corrective action, and accountability. There must be sufficient terms to assure RMP compliance, and require meaningful worker involvement, participation, and stop work authority (including an anonymous safety and near-miss hotline). Clear, expeditious compliance deadlines are essential.

-- Expand coverage of the RMP program. The current scope of the RMP program is inadequate. More facilities, processes and chemicals (including ammonium nitrate and other reactives) must be covered. One process or part of a facility should trigger coverage for the whole facility.

-- Account for cumulative hazards from multiple facilities and underlying vulnerabilities. RMP facilities are frequently located in close proximity to each other, as well as additional facilities that continuously release multiple pollutants. Oftentimes, communities neighboring these facilities - disproportionately made up of people of color and low income people - are faced with a host of other social and environmental conditions that increase their susceptibility to health threats. EPA must recognize that more layers of prevention are needed to protect communities where these cumulative hazards exist. 

“Our states, cities, and constituents cannot wait any longer for companies to voluntarily decide to remove these hazards at their convenience,” says the letter. “Chemical incidents can be prevented by incorporating common-sense policies into a strengthened RMP. Many safer chemicals and processes already exist, and more can be developed. What is missing, but urgently needed, are national requirements for transition to safer alternatives whenever possible, and other proven measures that can help prevent disasters.”

Click Here to read the letter and list of signatories. 

[Posted: February 1, 2022] PA Environment Digest