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Arlington, VA |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Susannah Williams swilliams@acd-chem.com |
Arlington, VA – Today, the Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD) submitted comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in response to the agency’s proposed revisions to the Risk Management Program (RMP) standard.
In the comments, Brian Callahan, ACD Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, pointed out flaws in the 2024 rule that made the RMP standard more onerous without increasing safety.
“The 2024 rule made several changes, leaving the RMP standard more difficult and costly to follow without effectively reducing potential incidents. ACD applauds this new proposal as it rescinds many of the more onerous changes made in the 2024 rule. It better frames the RMP standard as a performance-based program that mitigates risks and empowers facilities to responsibly implement procedures to reduce incidents and protect their workers and communities.”
While ACD supports the EPA revisiting these changes to the rule, Callahan raised concerns over the addition of the adoption of a public data tool, which would introduce needless security risks for RMP facilities.
“Making RMP-related information publicly available to anyone with an internet connection greatly undermines the safety of RMP-regulated facilities and the communities around them. Instead, the EPA should continue to make information available through reading rooms and [Local Emergency Planning Committees] so that individuals reviewing them can be properly vetted, and information remains secure.”
Callahan concluded by emphasizing the high standards ACD members adhere to: “Our industry cares deeply about preventing chemical incidents . They invest heavily in their facilities and regularly coordinate with local emergency officials to ensure information is shared with responders. ACD members take their RMP obligations seriously and consistently audit their processes to ensure ongoing compliance.”
To read ACD’s full comments submitted to the EPA, click here.
ACD President and CEO Eric R. Byer previously applauded the EPA for pursuing changes to the RMP rule that would lift onerous, unnecessary, and complex requirements on ACD members.
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The Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD) partners with our more than 400 chemical distribution industry members to provide the education, connection, standards, and advocacy they need to responsibly move the essential products our world depends on. As leaders in the $27B+ chemical distribution industry, ACD member companies commit to the highest standards in quality, safety, sustainability, and performance through ACD Responsible DistributionTM. For more information, visit www.acd-chem.com.
The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) is the leading trade association representing the makers of the fuels that keep us moving, the petrochemicals that are the essential building blocks for modern life, and the midstream companies that get our feedstocks and products where they need to go. We make the products that make life better, safer, and more sustainable — we make progress. For more information, visit https://www.afpm.org/.