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EPA AND DOJ PROPOSE REGULATIONS FOR PUBLIC ACCESS TO RISK MANAGEMENT PLANS

Release Date: 04/26/2000
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FOR RELEASE: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 2000


EPA AND DOJ PROPOSE REGULATIONS FOR
PUBLIC ACCESS TO RISK MANAGEMENT PLANS


EPA and the U.S. Department of Justice today proposed regulations governing public access to information concerning the potential off-site consequences of accidental chemical releases from industrial facilities. Off-Site Consequence Analysis (OCA) information, which includes “worst-case scenarios,” is information collected under section 112 (r) (7) of the Clean Air Act as part of regulated facilities’ Risk Management Plans. The 1999 Chemical Safety, Information, Site Security and Fuels Regulatory Relief Act required the government to assess both the chemical risk reduction benefits of allowing public access to OCA information and the increased risk of terrorists and other criminal activity from posting the information on the Internet. The proposed rule attempts to address both of these concerns. Under this proposal, all of the OCA information would be available to the public through several means, but it would prohibit the Internet posting of those OCA data elements that could result in a significant risk of increased terrorist or criminal activity. The proposed rule is expected to be published this week in the Federal Register. Comments on the proposal must be received by June 8. There will be a public hearing May 9, in Washington, D.C., at the EPA Auditorium, 401 M St. S.W., starting at 9 a.m. For further information see: www.epa.gov/ceppo.