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EPA Rescinds Obama Chemical Plant Protections; Puts Residents At Risk
EPA Rescinds Obama Chemical Plant Protections; Puts Residents At Risk
Five years after a catastrophic ammonium nitrate explosion in West, Texas killed 15 persons, destroyed much of the city, and launched reforms in the way the federal government oversees the safety of the nation’s chemical facilities, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt last week told us that he cares more about the concerns of the chemical industry than he does about the millions of Americans living in the shadow of hazardous chemical facilities.
Last Thursday, EPA released is long anticipated proposal to “reconsider” the Obama administration’s improvements to EPA’s Risk Management Program (RMP) that protects communities surrounding chemical plants from explosions and uncontrolled chemical releases. ... I won’t mince words: this is not a “reconsideration.” With very few exceptions, it’s a total repeal of the Obama-era modernization of EPA’s program.
I’m sure the chemical industry is taking comfort in the fact that despite the historically unprecedented number of investigations into Pruitt’s corruption, he’s not pulling any punches on the policy side. On the contrary. Blatantly catering to the whims of regulated industries may be the only thing keeping Scott Pruitt from a well deserved opportunity to spend more time with his family.
....
EPA’s press release states that “accident prevention is our first priority and boasts that the revised regulation “will ensure proper emergency planning and continue the trend of fewer significant accidents involving chemicals.”
Five years after a catastrophic ammonium nitrate explosion in West, Texas killed 15 persons, destroyed much of the city, and launched reforms in the way the federal government oversees the safety of the nation’s chemical facilities, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt last week told us that he cares more about the concerns of the chemical industry than he does about the millions of Americans living in the shadow of hazardous chemical facilities.
Last Thursday, EPA released is long anticipated proposal to “reconsider” the Obama administration’s improvements to EPA’s Risk Management Program (RMP) that protects communities surrounding chemical plants from explosions and uncontrolled chemical releases. ... I won’t mince words: this is not a “reconsideration.” With very few exceptions, it’s a total repeal of the Obama-era modernization of EPA’s program.
I’m sure the chemical industry is taking comfort in the fact that despite the historically unprecedented number of investigations into Pruitt’s corruption, he’s not pulling any punches on the policy side. On the contrary. Blatantly catering to the whims of regulated industries may be the only thing keeping Scott Pruitt from a well deserved opportunity to spend more time with his family.
....
EPA’s press release states that “accident prevention is our first priority and boasts that the revised regulation “will ensure proper emergency planning and continue the trend of fewer significant accidents involving chemicals.”
