The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has revised a program designed to provide protective safety provisions, aiming to shield vulnerable communities from the potential dangers of chemical mishaps. The initiative is set to prevent the accidental release of hazardous chemicals.
As per an EPA news release, these chemicals could cause fatalities or environmental damage if unintentionally discharged. The latest update to the EPA's safety provision strengthens the Safer Communities by Chemical Accident Prevention Rule and necessitates evacuation or shelter-in-place protocols in surrounding areas in case of a chemical accident.
"Many communities that are vulnerable to chemical accidents are in overburdened and underserved areas of the country," stated EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "This final rule is a critical piece of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to advancing environmental justice by putting in place stronger safety requirements for industrial facilities and new measures to protect communities from harm."
The updated rule, as outlined in the news release, demands increased public awareness about chemical hazards at regulated sources, assistance in planning for and responding to accidents, as well as broadening chemical process protection. Furthermore, it requires regulated facilities to carry out tests on safer technologies and alternatives, potentially leading to the implementation of protective initiatives in certain cases to reduce chemical accidents.
Regan referred to an incident at the TPC Group in Port Neches, Texas, which led to an evacuation of 50,000 residents - the largest recorded evacuation due to a chemical accident. The company was fined $153 for resultant property damage. Regan believes that had these new safety measures been operational at that time, they could have prevented the accident from impacting the community.
According to another statement from the news release, the EPA will soon disclose details about a facility’s risk management program on its website. This move will enable workers at these facilities to make informed safety decisions under the new guidelines being implemented by EPA.
