SOCMA Welcomes EPA Move to Delay Risk Management Program Rule

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Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates

Jun 15, 2017, 09:35 ET

ARLINGTON, Va., June 15, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (SOCMA) applauds the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) move to further delay the effective date of the Risk Management Program (RMP).

EPA has published in the Federal Register the Accidental Release Prevention Requirements: Risk Management Programs Under the Clean Air Act; Further Delay of Effective Date, a rule strongly supported by SOCMA that effectively moves implementation of the Risk Management Program (RMP) to February 19, 2019. Further, EPA is opening a new rulemaking on RMP that will allow the agency to reconsider the proceeding, as well as look at other issues that may benefit from additional comment.

"This is excellent news for SOCMA members who had significant concerns about the negative impact of RMP on specialty chemical manufacturers," said Robert F. Helminiak, SOCMA's Managing Director of Government Relations. "The rule would have required chemical facilities to deliver additional, extremely sensitive information of processes and chemicals stored on site. This information could be used to attack facilities if the information fell into the wrong hands and would have made our member facilities more vulnerable. We are very appreciative that the Administration has heeded these concerns, and we look forward to working with the Administration to resolve the problems that plagued the rule."

SOCMA worked with the Trump Administration to resolve the issues with the RMP rule, including testifying before EPA in support of the delay and submitting comments. SOCMA also spoke to newly appointed EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt about the rule during a face-to-face meeting last month.

About SOCMA
Since 1921 SOCMA has represented a diverse membership of chemical companies located around the world bringing world-class support uniquely tailored to enhance the operational excellence of our member companies. www.socma.com.

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SOURCE Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates