EPA Releases Preliminary 2023 TRI Data

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published preliminary Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data about chemical releases, waste management, and pollution prevention activities that took place during 2023 at more than 20,000 federal and industrial facilities across the country. For 2023, 21 chemicals were added to the TRI list, and facilities were required to report on these if the reporting thresholds for each were met. The chemicals included nine per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) added to the TRI chemical list per the requirements of the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

The 2023 preliminary data were reported by facilities in covered industries that manufactured, processed or otherwise used substances on the TRI chemical list above threshold quantities during 2023. 

The public can use these data to:

• Identify how many TRI facilities operate in a certain geographic area (e.g., a ZIP code),
• Identify which chemicals are being managed by TRI facilities and in what quantities, and
• Find out if a particular facility initiated any pollution prevention activities in the most recent calendar year.

The dataset contains the data as submitted by facilities and does not include any summary or trend analysis. While the preliminary data have not yet been through the complete TRI data quality process, the reporting software that facilities used to submit these data (TRI-MEweb) includes many automated quality checks that help prevent common mistakes during data entry. EPA is conducting additional quality checks to identify suspected reporting errors and follow up with facilities if data quality issues are identified. For details about the TRI data quality process, see the TRI Data Quality webpage.

CISA Publishes Infrastructure Resilience Planning Framework Playbook

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) published a supplementary ‘how-to’ guide to assist stakeholders in executing the planning approach laid out in CISA’s Infrastructure Resilience Planning Framework (IRPF). 

Dubbed the IRPF Playbook, this resource is intended for any critical infrastructure stakeholders involved in resilience planning. It uses a recipe-style list of inputs, processes, and fictional scenarios allowing users to better understand how best to implement the IRPF. The Playbook walks through the IRPF’s five steps and core IRPF and resilience concepts to help users contemplate their resilience objectives and develop an approach to incorporate elements of the IRPF into their planning activities.

The IRPF Playbook highlights useful resources and provides a hypothetical illustration of how a community might incorporate infrastructure resilience into planning using the various steps of the IRPF. 

The IRPF Playbook and the Framework are available on the Resilience Planning Program | CISA webpage. If you have questions or would like additional information on the IRPF Playbook or the IRPF itself, please email Resilience_Planning@cisa.dhs.gov.

For more resilience resources, visit the Shields Ready page

CSB Releases New Safety Video on Fatal Acetic Acid Release at the LyondellBasell La Porte Complex in La Porte, Texas in 2021

the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released a new safety video on its investigation into the fatal release of acetic acid at the LyondellBasell La Porte Complex in La Porte, Texas, on July 27, 2021, that killed two contract workers. Approximately 164,000 pounds of a highly corrosive acetic acid mixture erupted from equipment when three contract workers inadvertently removed critical components of a plug valve. All three workers were sprayed with the acetic acid mixture. Two of the workers died from their injuries.

The CSB's new safety video, called “Designed to Fail: Chemical Release at LyondellBasell,” includes an animation of the events leading to the incident, as well as commentary from CSB Board Member Dr. Sylvia Johnson and CSB Investigator Benjamin Schrader.



Please visit the CSB website, www.csb.gov. For more information, contact Communications Manager Hillary Cohen at Hillary.Cohen@csb.gov.

CSB Releases New Study Calling for Greater Use of Remote Isolation Equipment at Chemical Facilities

The CSB released a new Safety Study titled “Remote Isolation of Process Equipment” that issues recommendations to key regulators and calls for greater use of remote isolation equipment at chemical facilities in the United States.

Based on the agency’s investigations of several catastrophic chemical incidents in recent years, the CSB’s new safety study concludes that the chemical industry has not fully recognized that the effective remote isolation of process equipment is critical to quickly stopping releases of hazardous materials, which can help prevent fatalities and serious injuries to workers at chemical facilities, reduce damage to the facilities, and better protect communities and the environment.

Please visit the CSB website, www.csb.gov. For more information, contact Communications Manager Hillary Cohen at Hillary.Cohen@csb.gov.

Resilience Analysis and Planning Tool - 2024 Update

For the fifth consecutive year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is announcing updates to a free, easy-to-use geographic information systems (GIS) tool that helps emergency managers and community partners visualize, prioritize and implement strategies to build resilience. In addition, this tool assesses potential challenges to community resilience to help make strategic decisions for mitigation, response, and recovery.

The 2024 update of the Resilience Analysis and Planning Tool (RAPT) includes new census data from the American Community Survey five year estimate (2018-2022) and updated Community Resilience Challenges Indices (CRCI) for counties and census tracts. The web map allows users of all GIS skill levels to combine layers of community resilience indicators, infrastructure locations and hazard data. The 2024 update also includes a preview of Future RAPT built with ArcGIS Experience Builder, Esri’s new web app tool.

RAPT includes over 100 pre-loaded data layers and the tool’s functionality allows users to visualize combinations of these data layers for a specific location. This update of RAPT includes:

• Updated U.S. Census data: Latest American Community Survey five-year estimates (2018-2022) with refreshed pop-ups
• Take a Tour: Explore the functionality of Future RAPT in Esri’s ArcGIS Experience Builder.
• County Overview: Available in Future RAPT, this dashboard provides at-a-glance information at the county level.

FEMA will host interactive webinars on RAPT. Each webinar will cover the same content. Please register for one of these 60-minute sessions:

• Register - Thursday, Aug. 1. 2-3 p.m. ET
• Register - Wednesday, Aug. 7. 4-5 p.m. ET

Visit the RAPT Resource Center to access supporting materials, learn more about RAPT functionality and see how it can improve resilience planning in your community.

One Year without CFATS

It has now been more than a year since Congress allowed the statutory authority for the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program (6 CFR Part 27) to expire on July 28, 2023. CFATS worked with high-risk facilities to ensure that their dangerous chemicals stayed out of the hands of bad actors. With 89 million Americans working or living within two miles of a high-risk facility, CISA can no longer ensure the safety and security of America’s communities against chemical terrorism. CISA has currently missed an average of 1,820 inspections, and over 100,000 names have not been vetted against the Terrorist Screening Database—a measure that ensured personnel with access to dangerous chemicals did not have terrorist ties. CISA cannot ensure that chemical facilities are mitigating the terrorist exploitation of chemical holdings. Without CFATS, we have lost vital safeguards that were created to protect Americans from incidents of chemical terrorism.

2024 Chemical Security Seminars Complete

CISA hosted the 2024 Chemical Security Seminars virtually on July 11 and July 18.

• Participants from across the spectrum of sectors that deal with chemical security—including industry organizations, facility owners and operators, government officials, first responders, and law enforcement—attended the Seminars to share perspectives and lessons learned, receive updates on continued threats, and engage in dialogue regarding chemical security.
• Select presentations from the 2024 Seminars are currently available at the Chemical Security Seminars webpage.

We thank everyone who participated in making the 2024 Chemical Security Seminars a success. We look forward to seeing you again in 2025!

EPA Region 5: Chlorine Webinar Training - How to Comply with EPA’s EPCRA and 112(r) Reporting Requirements for Chlorine, Virtual

EPA Region V is sponsoring three, web-based training programs for water and wastewater plant operators, and other facilities that have chlorine in a process. These FREE webinars will provide participants with the information and tools necessary to comply with EPA’s emergency planning, notification, and reporting requirements for chlorine. 

At the completion of this training, participants will be able to:

• Identify entities that need to be notified about the amount of chlorine being used or stored at their facility;
• Explain chlorine release notification procedures;
• Explain what should be included in a Risk Management Program and submitted in a Risk Management Plan;
• Describe common compliance deficiencies; and
• Describe best management practices.

Register here for August 21, 8:30am-12:30pm CT

Register here for August 29, 8:30am-12:30pm CT

Register here for September 12, 8:30am-12:30pm CT

Login instructions for the webinar will be provided to participants prior to the webinar. Four CEUs have been requested for these programs. For more information, please contact Monika Chrzaszcz, (312) 886-0181 or Chrzaszcz.monika@epa.gov

Chemical Security Training Course, Virtual

This course provides an introduction to identifying, assessing, evaluating, and mitigating chemical security risks. This easy-to-understand overview identifies key components and best practices of chemical security awareness and planning to help kickstart chemical security discussions at a facility. This course runs 1-2 hours in length and is appropriate for all personnel regardless of their level of involvement with dangerous chemicals.

• Register for October 7, 2024 – 11 am-1 pm ET

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. The 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 August 7, 2024 – 11 am-2 pm ET 
• Register for November 7, 2024 – 1-4 pm ET 

For more information or to request a specific training for your facility, please visit the ChemLock Training webpage.

EPA Tribal Oil Spill Prevention and Chemical Emergency Preparedness Webinars

Overview of Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure Webinar for Tribal Partners

Participants should only register for one of the three offerings below, as all sessions will cover the same material. This one and half hour, EPA-hosted session will provide a basic overview of the Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure oil spill prevention program, regulatory requirements, program implementation, and federal oil spill reporting requirements. The session will also include a question-and-answer segment where participants can interact with the SPCC national program manager. The session is designed for those who want to learn “just the basics” of the SPCC rule and EPA Oil Program. Managers, policymakers, facility operators, and other related tribal stakeholders may find this short and basic overview course useful. 

• August 21, 2024, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM EDT
• September 17, 2024, 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM EDT

Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure 101 Webinar for Tribal Partners

This four-hour course will provide tribal partners SPCC 101 – a “deeper dive” into the SPCC rules, their applicability, and requirements (e.g., containment, tank integrity, plan updates, etc.). The SPCC inspection process and enforcement will be discussed. An in-depth pictorial review of typical noncompliance found during EPA inspections will also be provided. The webinar will conclude with a question-and-answer session. 

• August 22, 2024 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM EDT

Tank Talk: Aboveground Storage Tanks 101 Webinar for Tribal Partners

This four-hour advanced topic session will provide an in-depth overview of the Aboveground Storage Tanks design/construction, appurtenances, piping, inspections, and maintenance.

• September 19, 2024, 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM EDT

PHMSA HMEP Conference, Tysons, VA, August 19-20

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) HAZMAT Grant Program is hosting their fourth HMEP conference, August 19-20, in Tysons, VA. The conference is an opportunity to engage with PHMSA’s HAZMAT grants team and to network and share information with others. The conference will include HMEP grants training, best practices, and other related topics to HAZMAT response. Register here. Book your hotel here.

CAMEO for Planning

Understand the hazardous material threat in your jurisdiction. Experienced instructors will train

you how to use the Computer Aided Management of Emergency Operations (CAMEO) Suite software to facilitate planning for hazardous material incidents. This training focuses on CAMEO Data Manager (DM), CAMEO Chemicals, and MARPLOT. Find more information and register here.

This month-long class includes: online classroom with 24/7 access to weekly lessons, videos & activities; weekly, scheduled live Q&A webinars; 1-hour Zoom call on the first day of class; four 2-hour webinars on the remaining 4 days. One remaining session in 2024:

• Session 3: Oct. 17 – Nov. 14 (Thursday webinars)

NASTTPO Mid-Year Workshop, Houston, TX, October 14-16

Registration is open for the National Association of SARA Title III Program Officials (NASTTPO) Mid-Year Workshop in Houston, TX.