SERC-TERC Monthly Update: May 2023

SERC-TERC Updates: May 2023

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

U.S. Chemical Safety Board Releases Final Report into 2020 Toxic Gas Release and Chemical Fire at Bio-Lab Facility in Westlake, LA

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released its final investigation report into a chemical fire and toxic gas release at the Bio-Lab facility in Westlake, Louisiana, in August 2020 following extreme weather during Hurricane Laura. In addition to recommending steps that the company and Louisiana state officials should take to prevent chemical releases during future hurricanes, the CSB’s report calls on federal regulators to increase their oversight of hazards associated with reactive chemicals.

Draft Private-Public Partnerships Guides for National Engagement Now Available for Review

FEMA is seeking content input on the “Information Sharing Guide for Private-Public Partnerships” and the “Economic Resilience Guide for Private-Public Partnerships.” These guides are for any private-public partnership. A private-public partnership is any type of cooperative arrangement between two or more entities of private industry and public sector organizations for their mutual benefit designed to help ensure the life safety, economic security and resilience of communities.

To download the documents, visit FEMA.gov.
To submit feedback, email the completed form on information sharing or economic resilienc e to [email protected] by May 25, 2023.

Public Meeting Notice for the 2024 Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG2024)

PHMSA's Office of Hazardous Materials Safety (OHMS) will hold a public meeting to solicit input on the development of the 2024 edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG2024).

The meeting will be held virtually on Microsoft Teams on May 16, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. EDT.
DOT requests that attendees pre-register for this meeting. The meeting will be hosted on Microsoft Teams and a conference call line will be provided upon registration by completing the form at https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/research-and-development/hazmat/rd-meetings-and-events

Publication of 30-Day Notice on CFATS Information Collection Request 1670-0007

On April 20, 2023, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) published a 30-day notice in the Federal Register (88 FR 24435) soliciting public comment on Information Collection Request (ICR) 1670-0007. This Federal Register notice describes CISA’s request to continue collection of core information necessary to implement the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program, including:

Information necessary to authorize access to the Chemical Security Assessment Tool (CSAT)
Information about a facility that possesses chemicals of interest (COI)
Information necessary to assess whether the risk present at a facility warrants federal oversight of its security measures security risk
Information necessary to evaluate the security measures a facility proposes to mitigate its risk
Requests for assistance via the CSAT Help Desk

The renewal of information collection requests is a routine part of government business. ICR 1670-0007 was approved for a three-year period in July 2020 and is set to expire in July 2023. We are requesting an additional three years with the minor revisions proposed by CISA. CISA previously published a 60-Day notice for ICR 1670-0007 in the Federal Register on December 27, 2022. The comment period for the 60-Day notice for this ICR closed on February 27, 2023, and CISA did not receive any comments from the public.

The feedback received from the CFATS-regulated community has played an important role in assisting to improve tools and mature the regulatory program. The Federal Register notice for ICR 1670-0007 is available for comment at federalregister.gov/d/2023-08341 until May 22, 2023. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

Hot Topics

National Survey of State Emergency Response Commissions

In April 2023, EPA issued a report on the National Survey of State Emergency Response Commissions. The agency conducted this survey to learn how well the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act is being implemented at the state and local levels, which included collecting information on current practices, challenges, gaps, successes, and best practices. EPA is distributing this report so that State and Tribal Emergency Response Commissions can learn from the experiences of others and build a robust program.

For more information, see the 2023 National Survey of State Emergency Response Commissions.

Launch of New EPA EPCRA Website

The EPA’s EPCRA websites have been streamlined and updated to help make information easier to find. The two main pages to bookmark are EPCRA Home and the EPCRA Site Map. The redesign centralized the EPCRA non-313 program resources under About EPCRA, provides a single webpage for all state and federal EPCRA contacts, and organized the remaining content by statute functions (Emergency Planning, Emergency Release Notifications, Hazardous Chemical Inventory Reporting, Toxics Release Inventory, and EPCRA Trade Secrets. The website also provides links to the CAMEO Software Suite. Please take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the new site layout, if you don’t see the information you’re seeking in the EPCRA Site Map, please check the Frequent Questions. For comments, questions, and concerns please contact [email protected].

CISA Chemical Security Resources

CISA Chemical Security has released two new resources: the Resumen de CISA ChemLock (ChemLock Overview in Spanish) fact sheet and the Secure Your Chemicals: Potential Threats flyer. These, along with all other CISA Chemical Security resources, can be found at cisa.gov/chemical-security.

CFATS Operational Updates

To date, CISA has received over 107,000 Top-Screen submissions from over 44,000 unique facilities. Of these, CFATS covers 3,241 facilities. Additionally, the program has completed 4,659 Authorization Inspections, 10,422 Compliance Inspections, and 10,524 Compliance Assistance Visits.

Training Opportunities and Conferences

Understanding ALOHA, Virtual, May 1-5, 2023

This virtual training course is for those who want to be more proficient users of the ALOHA air dispersion modeling software, whether for response or planning activities and recommended for HazMat Technicians, Command Staff, and all LEPC/Emergency Planners. For more information, contact Tom Bergman or Carol Way at CAMEO Suite Training.

Introduction to CAMEO Chemicals Webinar, Virtual, May 23, 2023, 10:30am to 12:00pm ET

EPA Region 1 is hosting an Introduction to CAMEO Chemicals Webinar.

CAMEO Chemicals is the hazardous chemical database for the CAMEO® software suite, which is used widely to plan for and respond to chemical emergencies. CAMEO Chemicals also has a tool to predict possible hazards if chemicals are mixed together. With CAMEO Chemicals, you can search through the extensive chemical database to find chemical datasheets with critical response information, including physical properties, health hazards, information about air and water hazards, and recommendations for firefighting, first aid, and spill response. CAMEO Chemicals is available as a website, mobile website, mobile app, and desktop program. The mobile app and the desktop program formats can be used offline, and the desktop program can share information with other CAMEO suite programs.
This webinar, led by Len Wallace will provide an overview of CAMEO Chemicals including a live demonstration. This EPA webinar will assist first responders, emergency planners and facility staff to get key information quickly through CAMEO Chemicals. As you may be aware, WISER is no longer available as of February 28, 2023. For a brief summary of the CAMEO Chemicals program and its capabilities, download the CAMEO Chemicals fact sheet (pdf).
Register here.

CAMEO for Planning, Virtual

Understand the hazardous material threat in your jurisdiction. Experienced instructors will train you how to use the CAMEO® Suite software to facilitate planning for hazardous material incidents. This training includes CAMEO Data Manager (DM). This month-long class includes: online classroom with 24/7 access to weekly lessons, videos & activities; weekly, scheduled live Q&A webinars; 1-hour Zoom call on the first day of class; and four, 2-hour webinars on the remaining 4 days. Two remaining sessions in 2023:

Session 2: June 1 - 29 (Thursday webinars)
Session 3: Oct. 25 – Nov. 29 (Wed. webinars – skip Thanksgiving week)
All Zoom Calls begin at 8am PT/9 MT/10 CT/11 ET

Click here for more information and to register.

ChemLock: Introduction to Chemical Security Training Course

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

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 [email protected].

Managing the Message: Crisis Communication Workshop Series 2023, May 24-25, 2023, Pendleton, OR

Join a whole community approach in Managing the Message, a Crisis Communication Workshop. Local and international communicators will share their case studies and experiences on what worked well, gaps discovered, and how to "build better" communication practices to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disaster and crisis response. More information and registration details here.

Save the Date: 2023 Tribal Lands and Environment Forum (TLEF), August 14-17, 2023, Syracuse, NY

Now accepting proposals for sessions at the Tribal Lands and Environment Forum!

Visit the 2023 TLEF website to learn more about this year’s forum.
If you would like to submit a proposal, click on the “Call for Proposals” in the menu at the top of the page.
Registration will open soon, with a direct link to our host hotel so you can make lodging reservations at a special reduced rate.

Tribal Oil Spill Prevention and Chemical Emergency Preparedness Webinars

Overview of Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure and Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations (CAMEO) Software Suite Webinar for Tribal Partners (August 24, September 7 and 22, 2023).
This hour and a half, EPA-hosted session will provide a basic overview of the Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure oil spill prevention program and how the Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations (CAMEO) software suite can be used to help communities prepare for and respond to chemical and oil spills. The session will also include a question-and-answer segment where participants can interact with the Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure national program manager and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act program coordinator.
Visit this link for more information and to register
Tank Talk: Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure Overview Webinar for Tribal Partners (August 31 and September 21, 2023)
This 4-hour session will provide an in-depth overview of the oil program, regulatory requirements, program implementation (inspections), and federal oil spill reporting requirements. This webinar will assist tribes with Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure compliance and the opportunity to view EPA inspector photographs showing common violations observed in the field.
Visit this link for more information and to register

Save the Date for the 2023 Chemical Security Summit, August 29-31, 2023, Virtual and Northern VA

Join participants from across the chemical and interconnected sectors—including energy, communications, transportation, and water—to hear the latest program and regulatory updates, share perspectives and lessons learned, and engage in dialogue regarding chemical security.

When: August 29-31, 2023
Where: Northern Virginia and Microsoft Teams
Venue will be announced with registration in the coming weeks
Links for virtual attendees will be sent out closer to the Summit date
Who should attend:
Chemical and related industry stakeholders
Corporate and facility security officers
Environment, health, and safety professionals

Please note there is no fee to attend this event.

Registration, provisional agenda, and further information will be available in the coming weeks on the 2023 Chemical Security Summit webpage. For more information, please email us at [email protected].

EPA 20th Annual Drinking Water Workshop, September 11-14, Covington, KY

Registration is now open for the 20th Annual EPA Drinking Water Workshop. The workshop is hosted by EPA's Office of Research and Development and Office of Water in partnership with the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA).

Primarily designed for tribal, state, and territory personnel responsible for drinking water regulations compliance and treatment technologies permitting, the workshop will provide current information, resources, and training needed to help in building systems capacity and sustainably and with providing equitable access to drinking water. System owners and operators, local and government personnel, academics, design engineers, technical assistance providers, and consultants may also benefit from attending.
Additional Information and Registration

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

May 24-25: Rosemont, IL Process Heating & Cooling Show

May 24: Salinas, CA, Salinas Valley Ammonia Safety Day

Event schedule updated regularly on ASTI website at www.ammonia-safety.com.

For a current list of events: Event Schedule

Contact ASTI via email at [email protected] or call 831-761-2935 for more information.