SERC-TERC Updates: November 2024
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
Comment on the Proposed Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Information Collection Request
The TRI Program must have an approved ICR to collect information from facilities under EPCRA Section 313. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the information collection. The ICR and accompanying material are available in the docket for public review and comment through November 18.
Comment on the Proposed Rule to Add 16 PFAS to the TRI
EPA is proposing to add 16 individual PFAS and 15 PFAS categories to the TRI list of toxic chemicals to comply with the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020. Read more about the proposed rule and submit comments through December 9.
Biden-Harris Administration Proposes Rule to Simplify Shipping Processes for Truck Drivers, While Improving Supply Chains, and Reducing Energy Transportation Costs
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) announced a new, proposed rule that would improve supply chains by modernizing and simplifying hazardous material transportation regulations that impact truck drivers hauling fuels. It will enhance safety standards across highway, rail, and vessel modes of transportation.
The proposed rule aims to support supply chains vital to the transportation sector—ensuring manufacturers can safely and affordably get resources they need to make, package, and ship goods to markets across America and throughout the world. It can be viewed on PHMSA’s website at www.phmsa.dot.gov.
Hot Topics
Tier2 Submit and CAMEO Data Manager Software Updates Released
The official versions of Tier2 Submit 2024 and CAMEO Data Manager 4.4.0 for report year 2024 are now available on the EPA website. See the download pages for a list of specific changes in each program.
If you're required to complete an annual Tier II form under EPCRA, Tier2 Submit is a free desktop program that can be used to make an electronic version of the completed Tier II form. It includes all the fields from the federal form, as well as additional fields that are required or requested by some states. Check with your state, tribe, or territory to see if they use Tier2 Submit for submissions and to review the general Tier II reporting requirements and procedures for your area.
You can import facility, chemical inventory, and contact information from Tier2 Submit into the free CAMEO Data Manager desktop program, which also includes modules for incidents, routes, resources, and special locations that may be of use for emergency response and EPCRA planning activities.
For questions, review the help topics in the programs or contact the RMP Reporting Center via email (RMPRC@epacdx.net) or phone (703-227-7650) on weekdays from 8 AM to 4:30 PM Eastern Time. A Tier2 Submit tutorial is also provided on the download page.
For more details and to subscribe for future updates, see the official Tier2 Submit and CAMEO Data Manager release announcement that was sent to the CAMEO News Service subscribers.
U.S. Chemical Safety Board Launches Investigation into Fatal Hydrogen Sulfide Release at Pemex Refinery in Deer Park, Texas
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board announced that it is launching an investigation into a fatal release of hydrogen sulfide at the Pemex petroleum refinery in Deer Park, Texas, which occurred on October 10. Two contract workers died as a result of the release, and an additional 13 workers reportedly were transported to local medical facilities. Contact: Communications Manager Hillary Cohen at Hillary.Cohen@csb.gov.
U.S. Chemical Safety Board Releases New Safety Video on Fatal Hydrogen Chloride Release at the Wacker Polysilicon facility in Charleston, Tennessee
The CSB released a new safety video on its investigation into the fatal release of hydrogen chloride at the Wacker Polysilicon North America facility in Charleston, Tennessee, that occurred on November 13, 2020. One contract worker was killed - and two others were seriously injured - when attempting to escape the release. The CSB released its final investigation report on the incident at Wacker on June 15, 2023. For more information, contact Communications Manager Hillary Cohen at Hillary.Cohen@csb.gov.
Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Month
Did you know that November is Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience (CISR) Month? CISR Month is the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s annual effort to educate and engage all levels of government, infrastructure owners and operators, and the American public about the vital role critical infrastructure plays in the nation’s security and why it is important to strengthen critical infrastructure resilience.
This November, CISA is continuing with the enduring theme of Resolve to be Resilient. By asking everyone to prepare for and invest in resilience today, the nation will be able to withstand and recover more quickly in the event of an incident tomorrow. Explore the resources on the Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Month webpage—which includes a toolkit—and be sure to follow CISA on social media and join the #BeResilient conversation.
Third anniversary of ChemLock
CISA's voluntary ChemLock program provides no-cost chemical security services and tools to the more than 100,000 facilities nationwide that possess dangerous chemicals. Since it launched three years ago, ChemLock has been helping chemical facilities around the country understand their risks and enhance their chemical security posture in a way that works for their business model.
ChemLock leverages CISA’s chemical security expertise from more than 15 years of managing the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards program to provide ChemLock services and tools, including:
Special access to other CISA services, such as active shooter preparedness, cyber hygiene, unmanned aircraft systems, and more
Today, more than ever, the future of our nation’s chemical security is dependent on the partnerships built between industry and government. CISA understands that our private sector partners cannot and should not have to face today’s many threats alone.
Visit the ChemLock webpage or contact ChemLock@mail.cisa.dhs.gov to learn more about how CISA can help you ensure that dangerous chemicals at your facility are not weaponized.
Complete 2023 TRI Dataset Available
EPA has published updated TRI data about toxic chemical waste management that occurred during 2023 at more than 20,000 industrial and federal facilities across the country. Among the updated online TRI tools, communities can use EPA’s TRI Toxics Tracker to map the locations of TRI-reporting facilities and find out about their chemical releases, other chemical waste management practices, and pollution prevention activities. Other online TRI tools and data files are available via the TRI Toolbox.
Training Opportunities and Conferences
BNSF Railway HAZMAT Training and Emergency Planning Training, November 7, 2024, Virtual
2024 National Pollution Prevention Training and Conference, Washington, D.C., December 10-11, 2024; Virtual Attendance Option Available
EPA is holding its 2024 National Pollution Prevention Training and Conference. The event will convene representatives from EPA grantees, academia, industry, non-governmental organizations, and state and federal agencies. Participants will have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of pollution prevention (P2), while leveraging and strengthening their connections to other practitioners. P2, which is also known as source reduction, is any practice that reduces, eliminates or prevents pollution at its source prior to recycling, treatment or disposal. Many of the practices and goals of P2 overlap significantly with those of sustainability and zero waste.
Sessions will include panel discussions and presentations by P2 experts that examine best practices and examples of how EPA’s P2 grants have delivered technical assistance to help businesses develop and adopt P2 practices. Participants will learn more about topics such as reducing pollution and finding alternatives, including for some chemicals EPA has regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act. For example, participants will learn about efforts to find alternatives to methylene chloride and how businesses are preventing pollution by transitioning away from the use of perchloroethylene and trichloroethylene. In addition, sessions will discuss identifying sustainable food services and using products with safe ingredients in salons.
The event will be held at the Yotel in Washington, D.C., with virtual attendance options available. Events are free to attend but registration is required. If you are planning to attend the event in person, the deadline to register is Nov. 1. The deadline for virtual attendance is Dec. 2. View Agenda
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.
• Register for November 7, 2024 – 1-4 p.m. ET
DOT PHMSA Grant Funded Rail Car Training - FREE - Contact for Information
The University of Findlay’s All Hazards Training Center, in partnership with The Center for Rural Development, has received additional funding from DOT PHMSA to continue providing the FREE Rail Car Incident Response for Crude, Ethanol and Other Flammable Liquids Training.
This training is provided to ensure the responder and emergency management community is educated about the dangers and unique hazards presented with rail car incidents. This training will enhance the ability of emergency responders and managers to assess the scene of a rail car incident, understand the resources needed to remediate the emergency situation, including how the railroad industry plays a critical role in the response. Hands-on scenarios using a rail car simulator are conducted during the training which is provided onsite at your facility. The training is available anywhere in the U.S.
If you would like to learn more about this FREE training or schedule the course in your region, please contact Tim Saltzman at 419-672-1852 or timothy.saltzman@findlay.edu.
Ammonia Safety & Training Institute presents Safety Day training and chemical Tabletop Exercises available to local industry and community responders
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.