EPA to Delay, Reconsider Risk Management Plan Rules for Chemical Facilities

US EPA yesterday proposed to further delay the effective date of new release prevention requirements for chemical facilities under the Clean Air Act. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt also announced in a letter on March 13 that the Agency will grant a petition to reconsider this Final Rule.

The effective date of the Final Rule has already been delayed until June 19, 2017. Yesterday’s proposal would delay the effective date until February 19, 2019.

Published in January 2017, EPA’s revised Risk Management Plan (RMP) Rule adds requirements for facilities to perform analysis and audits following a chemical release, coordinate with local emergency responders, and conduct public outreach in the event of an accident.

For a full break down of the Final Rule and EPA’s “enhancements” to the Risk Management Plan program for chemical facilities under the Clean Air Act, read Final Rule Alert: EPA Update Risk Management Program for Chemical Facilities.

The updated Clean Air Act RMP rules were finalized in December 2016 in response to an Executive Order to improve US chemical facility safety following the 2013 ammonium nitrate explosion in West Texas (see Chemical Safety Board’s report on the West Texas explosion here.)

Lion News has eyes on the rulemaking process and will report any developments toward reconsideration of the new Clean Air Act RMP requirements for chemical facilities.
 

New Clean Air Act Online Course Now Available!

Build the expertise needed to make informed on-the-job decisions that help your site control pollution, prevent releases, and maintain compliance with US EPA’s Clean Air Act rules. The Clean Air Act Regulations guides professionals through compliance with Title V permit requirements, emissions and pollution controls, annual greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting, Risk Management Planning (RMP) responsibilities, and more. 

Interactive, easy to use, and available 24/7, the new online course will help you get up to speed with new and changing EPA clean air rules and protect your facility from civil penalties now more than $95,000 per day, per violation. 

Tags: Act, Air, Clean, EPA, new rules, Risk Management Plan