Tell the EPA: Protect our families from chemical disasters!

The EPA’s proposal to overturn a Trump era rollback of critical safeguards is a good first step toward protecting our communities from chemical facilities disasters, but it must do more to provide further protection for fenceline communities and workers.

Docket ID: EPA-HQ-OLEM-2022-0174-0003

Submit a public comment before October 31 urging the EPA to finalize the strongest possible Risk Management Program rule to protect frontline communities from the daily threat of toxic air exposure, chemicals pills, and even death.

Submit a public comment before October 31 urging the EPA to finalize the strongest possible Risk Management Plan to protect frontline communities from the daily threat of toxic air exposure, chemical spills, and even death.

Photo: LM Otero/AP Photo

Nearly 125 million people in America, predominantly from communities of color and low-income communities, live within 3 miles of very dangerous chemical facilities.

These “fenceline zones” — often in areas that are vulnerable to extreme weather due to climate change — put residents in daily danger simply by living near facilities that are at constant risk of toxic chemical leaks, noxious fumes filling the air, or even fires or explosions that could destroy the communities around them.

The previous Trump administration rolled back vital regulations meant to protect these communities as a gift to chemical industries, but thankfully, President Biden’s EPA is proposing new lifesaving regulations — a Risk Management Plan (RMP) — that would undo much of the harm done by Trump and his industry cronies.

This is a good first step, but these measures aren’t strong enough if we’re to protect residents and workers from the hazards of highly dangerous chemical facilities.

Docket ID: EPA-HQ-OLEM-2022-0174-0003

CTA

Your Message

Subject Finalize the strongest Risk Management Plan to protect our communities

Dear EPA Administrator Michael Regan:

Message Body

Nearly 125 million people in America, predominantly from communities of color and low-income communities, live within 3 miles of very dangerous chemical facilities -- “fenceline” communities.

The Trump era rollback of critical safeguards was a blatant giveaway to the chemical industry and put these “fenceline” communities at risk of toxic chemical spills, chronic illness, and destruction.

The EPA’s proposal of new regulations – a Risk Management Plan (RMP) authorized under the Clean Air Act – to rectify this injustice is encouraging, but the finalized plan must be stronger and must provide enhanced protection for vulnerable workers and fenceline communities whose health and safety are at risk every day.

Specifically, the EPA’s new plan should include:

●	A requirement that all facilities switch to safer chemicals and processes
●	A requirement that all facilities take action to prepare for climate hazards, including things like enough back-up power to safely run or shutdown the entire facility when the power goes out 
●	A requirement for all facilities to have real-time fenceline air monitors and multilingual emergency response plans and alerts, and penalties for intentionally removing air monitors from service                
●	A requirement that workers or worker-selected representatives are at the decision-making table with veto power in all stages of the facility's RMP development and implementation, that workers can issue stop work authority at all RMP covered processes and facilities, and that anonymous worker reports go directly to the EPA
●	A requirement for the EPA to manage an online multilingual database of all facilities regulated by the rule
●	An updated list of chemicals covered by the rule, and a requirement that where any part of the facility is currently covered, the entire facility is subject to the rule
●	A requirement that facilities conduct a cumulative impacts assessment and take action to eliminate the hazards identified.

Until then, I will continue to stand with NRDC in urging the agency to provide the most robust protections for our communities, our public health, and our environment.

Thank you.

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