Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) issued the following statement today following the U.S. Chemical Safety Board’s final report on the fire at the Arkema chemical plant in Crosby, Texas, which occurred due to flooding from Hurricane Harvey:
“Today’s report from the Chemical Safety Board makes important recommendations to improve the safety and resiliency of chemical facilities. Climate change and extreme weather have the potential to increase risks to workers and vulnerable communities around these facilities, which too often are low-income communities and communities of color.
“These recommendations are especially important following last week’s dangerous proposal from the EPA to weaken and undermine the Risk Management Planning program. We saw in Crosby, West, and countless other towns what can happen without strong safety and security requirements for chemical facilities. The EPA should abandon this dangerous proposal, and instead work to improve protections for workers and vulnerable communities."
