The rule removes loopholes companies used to avoid reporting harmful toxic emissions during force majeure events

A new EPA rule protects nearly 180 million people at risk of chemical disasters.

Nearly 180 million people live in the worst-case scenario zones for a chemical disaster

Communities facing constant threat of fires and explosions need stronger protection

New federal watchdog report underscores communities need safeguards from chemical disasters caused by extreme weather

The tragic cycle of chemical fires, explosions, and hazardous chemical releases at U.S. industrial facilities must finally end. No massive chemical catastrophe should ever occur. This is what EPA should ensure by issuing a strong new chemical disaster prevention rule. Fenceline communities, environmental and environmental justice groups, and scientists submit these comments to call for EPA to follow the science and new information and apply lessons learned in recent years on how to prevent chemical disasters and save lives.

The Biden administration and EPA must act now to prevent chemical disasters, a joint statement from Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League, Center for Progressive Reform, Coming Clean, Earthjustice, Public Citizen, and Sierra Club

The Center for Progressive Reform, Earthjustice, and the Union of Concerned Scientists issued a joint call for reform in the new policy brief, released one day before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency holds a virtual public listening session on preventing industrial chemical disasters in which the agency has requested information on climate risks and resilience.

Agency must strengthen and adapt Risk Management Program rules to account for more frequent and extreme hurricanes, floods, wildfires

Emma Cheuse, Attorney, Washington, D.C., Office, Earthjustice: “Trump reversed all prevention measures. The program right now is weak.”

Communities facing constant chemical disasters deserve robust protections

Communities in chemical danger zones fight back against EPA’s latest attack on public health

Las comunidades en zonas de peligro químico luchan contra el último ataque de la EPA a la salud pública

After earlier court victory, communities in danger zones outraged by EPA’s latest attack on public safety

Después de una previa victoria judicial, las comunidades en zonas de peligro se declaran indignadas por el último ataque de la EPA a la seguridad pública

Issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit

On May 30, 2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) published in the Federal Register a proposed rule entitled “Accidental Release Prevention Requirements: Risk Management Programs Under the Clean Air Act,” 83 Fed. Reg. 24,850 (May 30, 2018) (the “Rollback Rule”). The Rollback Rule would rescind or weaken almost all of the chemical disaster prevention and mitigation measures previously adopted by the agency in its January 2017 final rule, “Accidental Release Prevention Requirements: Risk Management Programs Under the Clean Air Act,” 82 Fed. Reg. 4594 (Jan. 13, 2017) (the “Chemical Disaster Rule”). Comments on the Rollback Rule were originally due July 30, 2018, but EPA extended this deadline to August 23, 2018, pursuant to a Notice of Data Availability. See “Accidental Release Prevention Requirements: Risk Management Programs Under the Clean Air Act; Notification of Data Availability and Extension of Comment Period,” 83 Fed. Reg. 34,967 (July 24, 2018). The undersigned groups submit the following comments to oppose EPA’s proposed Rollback Rule. For reasons discussed herein and provided in the D.C. Circuit’s decision vacating EPA’s 2017 Delay Rule, EPA should withdraw, and not finalize, the proposed Rollback Rule. See Air Alliance Houston et al. v. EPA, No. 17-1155, Slip Op. (D.C. Cir. Aug. 17, 2018).

Community members from around the United States call for life-saving measures to be implemented after court victory last week