Risk Management Program Safer Communities by Chemical Accident Prevention Proposed Rule
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Rule Summary
On August 18, 2022, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan signed the Safer Communities by Chemical Accident Prevention (SCCAP) rule, which proposes revisions to the Risk Management Program (RMP) to further protect vulnerable communities from chemical accidents, especially those living near facilities with high accident rates. The proposed rule would strengthen the existing program and includes new safeguards that have not been addressed in prior RMP rules. Some of the proposed requirements include identifying safer technologies and chemical alternatives, more thorough incident investigations, and third-party auditing, all of which should benefit nearby communities. When finalized, the rule is expected to make communities safer by reducing the frequency of chemical releases and their adverse effects.
The public comment period for the SCCAP proposed rule (Docket ID No.: EPA-HQ-OLEM-2022-0174) closed on October 31, 2022.
After considering requests to either maintain or extend the comment period, EPA maintained the 60-day comment period. For more information, see EPA Response to Extension Request for RMP SCCAP Public Comment Period.
Public Hearings
In addition to accepting written comments during the public comment period, EPA held virtual public hearings on September 26, 27, and 28, 2022. See Virtual Public Hearings on Proposed RMP SCCAP Rule for more information.
Rule History
In 2017, the RMP Amendments Final Rule issued new requirements for accident prevention, response, and public disclosure of information, but key provisions were paused, and most never went into effect. Instead, in 2019, the RMP Reconsideration Final Rule rescinded or modified some of the measures in the 2017 rule.
Prior to publishing this proposed rule, EPA held two virtual public listening sessions on June 16 and July 8, 2021, with an open comment period from May 28 to July 31, 2021.