I urge you to work with your LEPCs to ensure that they engage facilities in discussions about accident prevention. In a few years, thanks to the steps you and LEPCs are about to take with respect to accident prevention, our citizens will gradually become familiar with, and expect to see practiced, some fundamental steps that industry and local officials can take to prevent accidental releases. In turn, the Accident Prevention Subcommittee created the Electronic Submission Workgroup to make recommendations to EPA on how RMPs should be submitted, and how RMPs should be made available to all stakeholders. In June, the Electronic Submission Workgroup completed its work with a Final Recommendations Report. Please include your name, address and phone number.
People tend to hold local and State officials responsible when something goes wrong.
For these reasons, I believe that activities to prevent chemical accidents also are best accomplished at the local and State levels. We are prepared to provide training, guidance, and technical assistance to you. We at EPA will work with you as you develop a program that meets your needs and protects your citizens. I am currently aware of some States that are passing their own accident prevention legislation, others that will initially implement an RMP program for some industry sectors within the State while EPA implements the program for the remaining sectors, and others that will undertake some implementation activities while EPA undertakes complementary activities. I also am aware that some local governments plan to seek delegation for their own RMP program, regardless of what the State does.