SERC-TERC Updates: June 2025
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.
Regulatory and Policy Information Related to Chemical Safety & Security
U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Seeks Comment on Pipeline and Hazmat Regulatory Relief.
The USDOT's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration announced that the agency is seeking public comment on two Advance Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) to reduce regulatory burdens imposed on the energy sector. The full text of the Regulatory Review ANPRMs for pipeline safety and hazardous materials safety are available in the Federal Register. Comments on the ANPRMs must be received by August 4, 2025.
Hot Topics
EPA's “Guide to Using Toxics Release Inventory Data to Reduce Pollution in Your Community"
Earlier this year, EPA published a new online resource for individuals and organizations working to reduce local industrial pollution. This guide helps users identify local sources of chemical emissions, understand which ones may be of greatest concern, and advance solutions to reduce chemical releases from these sources. View the TRI P2 Guide
EPA Releases Public Cheminformatics Safety Module
EPA has released a public Cheminformatics Safety Module which delivers access to data that would be of primary value to emergency responders as it provides access to data such as ignitability, reactivity, personal protection equipment, GHS data and an abundance of other safety data. For more information, please see the Cheminformatics Modules Manual.
U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) Issues Final Report on Fatal 2024 Explosion at the TS USA Facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The CSB released its final report into the fatal explosion and eruption at the Techniques Surfaces USA (“TS USA”) liquid nitriding facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee, that fatally injured an employee on May 30, 2024. The incident also resulted in multiple fires, over $1 million in property damage, and the TS USA facility being shut down for approximately 8 months.
U.S. CSB Issues Final Report on Toxic Hydrogen Fluoride Incidents
The CSB released its final report addressing three serious chemical incidents involving toxic hydrogen fluoride at the Honeywell Performance Materials and Technologies facility in Geismar, Louisiana. The incidents occurred over a period of less than three years—from October 2021 to June 2024—and reveal systemic safety failures at the facility.
U.S. CSB Issues Second Update on Investigation at the Bio-Lab, Inc Facility in Conyers, Georgia
The CSB released its second update on the agency’s ongoing investigation into the September 29, 2024, chemical fire at the Bio-Lab, Inc. facility in Conyers, Georgia. The incident resulted in a massive fire and smoke plume which led to the evacuation of 17,000 residents and shelter-in-place orders for 90,000 others.
U.S. CSB Releases New Safety Video on the Fatal 2020 Explosion at the Optima Belle Facility in Belle, West Virginia
The CSB released a new safety video on its investigation into the fatal December 8, 2020, explosion at the Optima Belle chemical facility in Belle, West Virginia.
For more information on CSB updates and news releases please visit www.csb.gov or contact Communications Manager Hillary Cohen at Hillary.Cohen@csb.gov.
U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Discontinues Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing & Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC)
The USFA can no longer support the EMR-ISAC, with the change effective as of June 1, 2025. USFA has identified that the information shared through the EMR-ISAC is now available through various open sources that focus on the fire and emergency services fields.
Training Opportunities and Conferences
2025 NASTTPO Mid-Year and 2026 Annual Conferences and Trainings
Save the date! The 2025 mid-year NASTPPO conference and training will be held on November 4-5, 2025, in Rogers, Arkansas (agenda in progress). The 2026 annual conference and training will be held on April 27-30, 2026, in Billings, Montana. Registration and hotel information will be posted on the NASTTPO website as it becomes available.
EPA Region 2 Webinar Series
EPA Region 2 announced a RMP webinar series on May 2nd for its Risk Management Program facilities and federal and state partners. SERCs and TERCs in NY, NJ, PR, and the VI are welcome to participate by contacting Francesco Maimone (Maimone.Francesco@epa.gov) or Richard Tarwacki (Tarwacki.Richard@epa.gov). Webinars will be scheduled approximately every 4 – 6 weeks. Content includes an overview of the Region 2 Risk Management Program to providing sector-specific guidance.
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.
This 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.
For more information or to request a specific training for your facility, please visit the ChemLock Training webpage.
2025 CAMEO for Planning Training, 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 focuses on CAMEO Data Manager, CAMEO Chemicals, and
MARPLOT®. This course is particularly helpful for Tier II managers and local emergency planners. It is also an excellent introduction into using the CAMEO® suite applications for planning for all types of emergency events, i.e., fire, floods, severe weather. This is a targeted course, not a general introduction to the CAMEO® Suite. This 5-week class consists of 24/7 access to online, recorded lessons followed by weekly, live, 2-hour Q & A Webinars to discuss and enhance the classroom lessons. Class size is limited to 25 students to maximize instructor access and interaction.
For more information contact info@cameosuitetraining.com.
Ammonia Safety & Training Institute (ASTI) presents Safety Day training and chemical Tabletop Exercises 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.
Currently Scheduled:
- CSTI Ammonia Safety Training - San Luis Obispo, CA, June 25, 2025
- ASTI Tech Forum Webinar - Zoom, July 16, 2025
- ASTI 32-Hour Ammonia Responder Course - Seaside, CA, August 12-15, 2025
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 asti@ammonia-safety.com or call 831-761-2935 for more information.