SERC-TERC Updates: December 2023 |
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SERCs, TERCs, and Federal Partners: Please forward this monthly update to your stakeholders
Mention of non-EPA documents, presentations, training opportunities and conferences does not constitute an U.S. EPA endorsement of their contents, only an acknowledgment that they exist and may be relevant to the SERC-TERC audience.
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Regulatory and Policy Information Related to Chemical Safety & Security |
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EPA Issues Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) for Reporting Animal Waste Air Emissions at Farms under the EPCRA
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is soliciting information pertaining to and is requesting comments to assist in the potential development of regulations to reinstate the reporting of animal waste air emissions at farms under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). The Agency is soliciting comments under five general categories: health impacts; implementation challenges; costs and benefits; small farm definition and potential reporting exemption; and national report on animal waste air emissions. Requiring reporting of animal waste air emissions may advance the community right-to-know aspect of EPCRA by providing the public with information that may impact their health and the environment. This information may advance EPA's environmental justice goals of increasing the awareness of the potential impact these emissions have on communities with environmental justice concerns.
Of particular interest to this group may be IV.B.7. EPCRA National Database, where EPA solicits comment on such a centralized database hosted and managed by EPA, whereby EPA could collect EPCRA reports and make those reports immediately available to state, tribal, and local agencies, thus improving the efficiency, efficacy, and transparency of EPCRA reporting compliance and removing the burden to state, tribal, and local agencies receiving and managing the submittals. The database can also reduce the burden on these implementing agencies by providing a public right-to-know information center. The clearinghouse would be a “one-stop shop” for industry, the EPCRA implementing agencies, and the public. A national database would provide industry the opportunity to report to multiple states and local entities in one platform. The implementing agencies would have access to all of the submitted information for their covered area, reducing their administrative burden and allowing them to focus on implementation, community safety, and compliance. The database would handle all reporting requirements, as well as requests from the public for information, allowing entities to use their limited resources to improve compliance efficacy.
You can review the full ANPRM and submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OLEM–2023–0142, at https://www.regulations.gov. Comments must be received on or before February 15, 2024.
FEMA Releases Planning Considerations for Cyber Incidents: Guidance for Emergency Managers
FEMA is releasing “Planning Considerations for Cyber Incidents: Guidance for Emergency Managers.” Developed in coordination with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), this document provides state, local, tribal and territorial emergency managers with foundational knowledge of cyber incidents to increase cyber preparedness efforts in their jurisdictions.
Key aspects of cyber incident preparedness included in the document are:
- Understanding the types of cyber incidents likely to occur;
- Engaging service owners and operators;
- Identifying cyber dependent critical services and related dependencies;
- Prioritizing and planning for service and system disruptions;
- Identifying roles and responsibilities;
- Providing integrated communication and public messaging; and
- Developing a cyber incident response plan.
FEMA, in cooperation with CISA, will host several 60-minute webinars to provide an overview of the guide and supporting materials.
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CSB Releases Final Report into 2021 Fatal Vapor Explosion and Fire at Yenkin-Majestic Facility in Columbus, OH
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released its final report on a flammable vapor explosion and fire at the Yenkin-Majestic facility in Columbus, OH, on April 8, 2021. One employee died during the incident, and eight other workers were injured. The CSB’s final report makes several important safety recommendations to Yenkin-Majestics, as well as to professional and trade associations.
Small Communities – Big Challenges (SCBC) Competition
EPA and partners have launched the Small Communities – Big Challenges (SCBC) Competition for local governments in the United States to demonstrate innovative and inclusive strategies for engaging with rural communities to understand these communities’ environmental public health issues of concern. The SCBC Competition promotes engagement strategies that support the attainment of environmental justice, particularly in giving rural communities equal access to the decision-making process to have a healthy environment. Applications are due by January 31, 2023. Apply Here: https://www.epa.gov/innovation/small-communities-big-challenges. Applications are due by January 31, 2023.
The Small Communities, Big Challenges Competition encourages local governments to demonstrate their innovative strategies, from new or previous work, for engaging rural communities. It also encourages collaboration to understand issues that could benefit from future scientific research. If you have questions about the Small Communities, Big Challenges Competition, please email SCBCCompetition@epa.gov.
ChemLock 2nd Anniversary
The ChemLock program celebrated its 2nd Anniversary on November 18, 2023. As stated by Acting ChemLock Program Manager Bryan McDonald, “The ChemLock team, led by Kimberly Heyne, has been instrumental in aligning, advocating, and promoting the ChemLock program with contributions ranging from technological expertise to strategic implementation.” Please join us in congratulating the team on the tremendous strides they have taken over the past two years.
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Training Opportunities and Conferences |
EPA Region 5: How to Comply with EPA's EPCRA and 112(r) Reporting Requirements for Chlorine; December 5, 2023, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm (CT)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 is sponsoring a web-based training program for water and wastewater plant operators, and other facilities that have chlorine in a process. This FREE training program will provide participants with the information and tools necessary to comply with EPA’s emergency planning, notification, and reporting requirements for chlorine. At the completion of this training, participants will be able to:
- Identify entities that need to be notified about the amount of chlorine being used or stored at their facility;
- Explain chlorine release notification procedures;
- Explain what should be included in a Risk Management Program and submitted in a Risk Management Plan;
- Describe common compliance deficiencies; and
- Describe best management practices.
EPA Region 1: Chemical Accident Prevention for Ammonia Refrigeration Systems
Anhydrous ammonia is a highly efficient and effective refrigerant commonly used in industrial refrigeration systems. However, ammonia is a toxic substance which must be handled with care to reduce the risk of accidental leaks and harmful exposures. The US EPA regulates the safe management of ammonia refrigerant through the chemical accident prevention provisions of the Clean Air Act and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act.
Join the EPA Region 1 webinar that will cover common unsafe conditions and common citations at ammonia refrigeration facilities. The webinar will also provide some results from the Region 1 General Duty Clause (GDC) pilot initiative for ammonia refrigeration facilities. This pilot was designed to increase compliance at ammonia refrigeration facilities with the GDC of the Clean Air Act. Joint EPA, OSHA and DHS resources covering the Chemical Warehouse and Chemical Distributor sector including: EPA Enforcement Alert, Joint Agency Safety Advisory, and new video will also be shared.
ChemLock: Introduction to Chemical Security Training Course, Virtual
This course provides an introduction to identifying, assessing, evaluating, and mitigating chemical security risks. This easy-to-understand overview identifies key components and best practices of chemical security awareness and planning to help kickstart chemical security discussions at a facility. This course runs 1-2 hours in length and is appropriate for all personnel regardless of their level of involvement with dangerous chemicals.
ChemLock: Secure Your Chemicals Security Planning Training Course, Virtual
This course walks through how to create a tailored, scalable security plan that meets the business model and unique circumstances of a facility. Participants will learn the key elements of a chemical security plan and benefit from examples, lessons learned, and best practices. The course runs 2-3 hours in length and is designed to help leadership, facility security personnel, and other applicable personnel understand, develop, and implement a facility security plan.
Please share this course information with relevant chemical security stakeholders in your area. To request a special offering of either course for a facility or organization, please fill out the ChemLock Services Request Form. If you have questions about the ChemLock program, please email ChemLock@cisa.dhs.gov. |
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Ammonia Safety & Training Institute (ASTI) presents Safety Day training and chemical Tabletop Exercises (TTX) available to local industry and community responders
- ASTI formed the National Safety Day Coalition together with IIAR, RETA, and GCCA to present safety and emergency response preparedness training at minimal cost to the attendees.
- ASTI worked with Region 9 EPA to create ammonia Tabletop Exercises based upon the One Plan four stages of response; focused on engaging local, state, and federal emergency response plans.
- ASTI organizes and leads a local committee of industry, public safety, and governmental leaders to create Safety Day presentations and Tabletop Exercises.
- Sample topics include: hazard analysis, health & safety concerns, critical task readiness, e.g., emergency system control, rapid “grab and go” rescue by first responders, and methods of containment and control of ammonia events using proper methods e.g., personnel protective equipment, decontamination, teaming agreement with public safety responders, monitoring systems, and command team coordination and communications readiness to address on-site and off-site life safety and environmental receptors.
Scheduled Events
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Environmental Protection Agency / Department of Homeland Security & US Coast Guard
Department of Labor & Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Department of Transportation / Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives/ Department of Agriculture
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