On December 21, 2016, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy signed “Accidental Release Prevention Requirements: Risk Management Programs under the Clean Air Act,” a final rule amending EPA’s Risk Management Program regulations at 40 CFR part 68. Specifically, the final rule makes several revisions and additions to the Risk Management Program accident prevention program requirements, emergency response requirements, and requirements applicable to the public availability of certain chemical hazard information. The final rule becomes effective 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.
EPA estimates that the finalized rule will cost at least $131.2 million annually and that the amended regulations could affect approximately 12,500 total facilities, including over: 4,500 chemical manufacturers and wholesalers; 4,200 petroleum wholesalers; 320 petroleum and coal products manufacturers; 220 utilities; and 200 oil and gas extraction facilities.