On May 28, 2021, EPA announced its scheduled public listening sessions for its review of the most recent revisions to the Risk Management Program (RMP) regulations. In January 2017, EPA revised the RMP rule because of an Executive Order (E.O.) 13650, which directed several agencies (including EPA) to, among other things, modernize policies, regulations, and standards to enhance safety and security in chemical facilities. In compliance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), EPA convened a small business advocacy review panel for this rulemaking. In December 2019, in response to petitions for reconsideration, EPA issued a final rule which included the repeal of several major provisions of the 2017 final rule.
This time the agency is considering revisions to the RMP rule under the direction of the new E.O. 13990, Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis. As a result, the agency will be seeking comments on adequacy of the most recent revisions to the RMP rule, incorporating consideration of climate change risks and expanding the application of environmental justice.
The listening sessions are scheduled for June 16, 2021 and July 8, 2021; you can register here.
EPA has also provided a public docket to receive public comments until July 15, 2021. You can submit your comments here.
Advocacy contact: Tabby Zeb at (202) 205-6790 or email at tayyaba.zeb@sba.gov.