Pallone, Tonko Applaud EPA Proposal to Improve Safety Around Chemical Processing

Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Environment and the Economy Subcommittee Ranking Member Paul Tonko (D-NY) issued the following statement today commending the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for proposing to revise its regulations for Risk Management Program (RMP) facilities in order to better protect workers and communities around chemical facilities.

The proposal announced today is part of the work of the interagency working group established under President Obama’s Executive Order 13650, Improving Chemical Facility Safety and Security, which responded to a request to the President from Energy and Commerce Democrats that a commission on chemical safety be established:

“We applaud EPA on its proposal to enhance chemical safety at RMP facilities nationwide. These chemical plants deal with hazardous materials every day and must work to plan for and prevent any accidents that could endanger workers, local residents, or the environment. Modernizing these safety requirements will prevent injuries and fatalities, give neighboring communities peace of mind, and save the government billions of dollars in the long-term.

“We’re particularly pleased that this proposal includes Inherently Safer Technology requirements, which we’ve long supported to ensure that our nation’s chemical facilities are secure. These commonsense measures will reduce the consequences of an attack or accident at chemical plants across the country and, ultimately, protect workers, first responders, and the surrounding community that might be affected by a spill. We look forward to working with EPA to see these important safety enhancements finalized and enacted.”