WASHINGTON, D.C.– The Environmental Protection Agency or EPA March 1 announced new safeguards and rules to improve the safety of nearly 12,000 chemical plants operating under the Risk Management Program or RMP. EPA included a number of new amendments to its final rule to improve protections for workers, first responders and communities living near the facilities that were requested in a letter led by Representative Barragán and Senator Cory Booker last year.
EPA’s amendments to its original rule, many of which were requested by Congresswoman Barragán and Senator Booker, include:
Requiring analysis of safer technologies and alternatives, and in some cases, implementation of reliable safeguard measures for certain facilities in industry sectors with high accident rates.
Advancing employee participation, training, and opportunities for employee decision-making in facility accident prevention.
Requiring third-party compliance audits and root cause analysis incident investigation for facilities that have had a prior accident.
Enhancing facility planning and preparedness efforts to strengthen emergency response by ensuring chemical release information is timely shared with local responders and a community notification system is in place to warn the community of any impending release.
Emphasizing the requirement for regulated facilities to evaluate risks of natural hazards and climate change, including any associated loss of power.
Increased transparency by providing access to RMP facility information for communities nearby.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department missing persons unit investigators are asking for the public’s…
Two stories dominated the national news in 2025: The most serious attack on American…
Saigon Oi specializes in dishes that just hit the spot — interesting appetizers, authentic bahn…
Through inimitable costume, celebratory dance, poetic narrative, and a stellar soundtrack, Parable of Portals’ transmedia…
LOS ANGELES—In alignment with the court-approved depopulation plan, the Los Angeles County Probation Department Dec.…
The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services is urging community members to avoid…