Le Lézard
Classified in: Mining industry
Subject: LAW

USW Sues EPA to Save Chemical Disaster Rule


PITTSBURGH, Jan. 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The United Steelworkers (USW) today announced that it filed a lawsuit challenging the federal government's decision to gut a regulation intended to prevent chemical disasters and save lives.

United Steelworkers. (PRNewsFoto/United Steelworkers)

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) capitulated to industry demands by rescinding crucial provisions of the Chemical Disaster Rule that bolstered EPA's Risk Management Program regulations, including requirements that companies take commonsense actions to prevent foreseeable catastrophic incidents.

"Eliminating these requirements will allow a profit-hungry industry to police itself while putting workers, first responders and the public at risk," said USW International President Tom Conway. "The USW spent years advocating for the Chemical Disaster Rule. Thousands of our members signed petitions imploring the EPA not to gut it. Now, we're going to court to protect our members and our communities."

The USW's lawsuit asks the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to implement the Chemical Disaster Rule as the EPA originally wrote it, before the current administration took office.

The USW and other safety advocates called for stronger regulation following a string of deadly incidents, including the 2005 fire and explosions at BP's Texas City, Texas, oil refinery that killed 15 contractors, and the 2010 fire and blast at Tesoro's Anacortes, Wash., refinery that killed a supervisor and six workers represented by the USW.

Recent incidents at USW facilities subject to Risk Management Program requirements demonstrate that U.S. workers and their communities still urgently need the full protections of the Chemical Disaster Rule. In June, USW members' quick thinking prevented a catastrophic amount of highly toxic hydrofluoric acid from escaping into the community during a fire and explosions at Philadelphia Energy Solutions. In November, explosions at a TPC chemical plant in Port Neches, Texas, forced tens of thousands of residents to flee their homes and threatened the livelihoods of USW members at the facility.

The USW represents 850,000 men and women employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in public sector and service occupations.

Contact: Joe Smydo, [email protected], 412-562-2281

SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)


These press releases may also interest you

at 08:32
XCMG Machinery (SHE:000425, "XCMG") is proud to announce its recent triumph at the 2024 German Design Awards, where it has been awarded the Excellent Communications Design in Integrated Campaigns and Advertising for its innovative "Cultural Gift"...

at 08:30
Asahi Kasei Plastics North America Inc (APNA), manufacturer of Asaclean and a leading supplier of purging compounds for the plastics industry, has announced a new partnership with renowned plastics distributor, Polysource. This exclusive distribution...

at 07:29
In a strategic move to address the growing talent shortage in the global construction equipment industry, XCMG Machinery (SHE:000425, "XCMG") has launched an extensive cross-training program for its employees from XCMG Global Business Headquarters....

at 06:30
The Actuators market is estimated at USD 67.7 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 94.8 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 7.0 % from 2024 to 2029 according to a new report by MarketsandMarketstm. The growth can be attributed to growing...

28 mar 2024
Discovery Silver Corp. ("Discovery" or the "Company") today announced financial results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2023 ("Q4 2023" and "2023", respectively). The Company also provided a summary of key events since the...

28 mar 2024
Osisko Development Corp. ("Osisko Development" or the "Company") reports its financial and operating results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2023 ("Q4 2023"). Q4 2023 HIGHLIGHTS Operating, Financial and Corporate Updates: 2,090...



News published on and distributed by: