SERC-TERC Update September 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.
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Regulatory and Policy Information Related to Chemical Safety & Security
EPA Reached First-Ever Accidental Release Rule Settlement with Pacific Gas & Electric
On July 28, 2025, EPA and the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board announced a settlement with Pacific Gas and Electric Company resolving a violation of the Clean Air Act and the 2020 Accidental Release Reporting rule. This is the first time EPA has taken an enforcement action and reached a settlement with a company for violations of the 2020 rule.
EPA Relaunches Guidance Portal
On August 13, 2025, EPA announced the relaunch of the agency's Guidance Portal, a streamlined website for accessing important guidance documents related to air quality, water protection, hazardous waste management, and more. The website serves as a resource for all guidance documents managed across EPA's headquarters environmental programs. It is designed to be a one-stop shop to help users and small businesses easily and quickly locate and follow EPA’s active guidance documents on topics of interest.
Hot Topics
2023 EPA Toxics Release Inventory National Analysis Now Available
EPA recently published the 2023 TRI National Analysis, which uses interactive visualizations and analytical tools to summarize the most recent TRI (EPCRA Section 313) data and highlight trends in waste management practices for specific sectors and chemicals. EPA will hold a public webinar on September 30, 2025, at 3:00 PM EST to provide an overview of the 2023 report. Register for the webinar.
2024 EPA TRI Preliminary Data Now Available
EPA has published preliminary TRI data (EPCRA Section 313) about chemical releases, waste management, and pollution prevention activities that took place during 2024 at more than 21,000 industrial and federal facilities across the country. EPA is now conducting additional quality checks to identify possible reporting errors and follow up with facilities if data quality issues are identified.
CSB Releases Second Update on 2024 Explosion at Givaudan Sense Colour Facility in Louisville, KY
The CSB released a second update on the agency’s ongoing investigation of the November 12, 2024 explosion at the Givaudan Sense Colour facility in Louisville, Kentucky. The explosion fatally injured two employees and seriously injured three others. Large metal fragments of equipment were thrown up to 400 feet away from the facility, damaging nearby homes and businesses and prompting local officials to issue a shelter-in-place order for a one-mile radius. The facility has since ceased operations and is being demolished.
CSB Releases New Video, "Safety Pays Off: The Value of Vigilance"
The CSB released a new video outlining the importance of safety at chemical facilities and the significant role that the CSB plays in protecting the American people and improving safety in the chemical industry. Titled “Safety Pays Off: The Value of Vigilance,” the video includes animations from several recent incidents investigated by the CSB, as well as commentary from CSB Chairperson Steve Owens.
CSB Launches Investigation into Toxic Chemical Releases at Austin Powder Facilities in Ohio and Tennessee
The CSB announced on June 24, 2025 that the agency has launched a formal investigation into two incidents involving toxic nitric acid at facilities owned by the Austin Powder Company: (1) the June 11, 2025 release of toxic nitrogen oxide gas at the company’s Red Diamond facility, an explosives manufacturing plant near McArthur in Vinton County, Ohio, and (2) a similar gas release that occurred on November 24, 2024 at the U.S. Nitrogen facility in Midway in Greene County, Tennessee, which Austin Powder owns.
CSB Urges Chemical Facilities to Take Action Now to Prevent Catastrophic Chemical Incidents During Hurricane Season
As the Atlantic hurricane season intensifies, the CSB is urging petroleum and chemical facilities to prepare now to help prevent catastrophic chemical releases during this season and ensure the safety of workers, emergency responders, and surrounding communities. Please see the news release for CSB's findings from past hurricanes, key materials prepared by the CSB, and the Center for Chemical Process Safety's Guidance Document on Planning for Natural Hazards.
CSB Releases Volume 3 of Chemical Incident Reports; Incidents Resulted in 1.8 Billion Dollars in Property Damage
The CSB has released Volume 3 of its Incident Reports. This Volume covers 30 serious chemical incidents in 15 states: Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming. These events resulted in two fatalities, 25 serious injuries, and approximately $1.8 billion in property damage.
CSB Launches Investigation into Fatal Explosion and Fire at Horizon Biofuels Facility in Nebraska
On August 4, 2025, the CSB announced that it has launched a formal investigation into the fatal explosion and fire at the Horizon Biofuels facility in Fremont, Nebraska that occurred on July 29. The blast fatally injured three people – a father and his two young daughters – who were in the facility at the time of the incident.
CSB Opens Investigation into Fatal Incident at U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works Plant in Pennsylvania
On August 12, 2025, the CSB announced that it is sending a team to investigate the fatal explosions and fires at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works plant in Clairton, Pennsylvania that occurred on August 11. Two people were fatally injured and at least ten others were injured and sent to area hospitals for medical treatment.
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.
Training Opportunities and Conferences
National Association of SARA Title III Program Officials 2025 Mid-Year and 2026 Annual Conferences and Trainings
Save the date! The 2025 mid-year conference and training will be held on November 3-5, 2025, in Rogers, Arkansas (agenda). Early bird registration pricing is available until October 17th and can be assessed from the "Click to Register" button on the NASTTPO website. The 2026 annual conference and training will be held on April 27-30, 2026, in Billings, Montana. Registration and hotel information will be posted as it becomes available.
EPA Region 2 Webinar Series
EPA Region 2 continues its RMP webinar series 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 6 weeks.
2025 CAMEO for Planning Training, Virtual
Understand the hazardous material threat in your jurisdiction. Experienced instructors will train you on 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 presents Safety Day training and chemical Tabletop Exercises available to local industry and community responders
- ASTI formed the National Safety Day Coalition together with the International Institute of All-Natural Refrigeration, The Refrigerating Engineers & Technicians Association, and the Global Cold Chain Alliance 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:
- ASTI Southeast Regional Ammonia Safety Day - Gainesville, GA, October 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.