Trump Administration Moves to Redo Chemical Disasters Safety Protections, Putting Millions at Risk
Washington, D.C. — Today, Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched a rulemaking process after corporate lobbyists pressed the agency to dismantle safeguards against chemical disasters. This move targets nearly 12,000 chemical facilities operating under the Risk Management Program (RMP), and puts in the crosshairs safeguards to protect workers, first responders, and fenceline communities from chemical releases, fires, and explosions.
In January, the American Chemistry Council, the American Petroleum Institute, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and a dozen other corporate groups urged EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to roll back the RMP Rule, citing costs — despite ongoing chemical disasters that have led to deaths, injuries, and mass evacuations. Set to take effect next year, the 2024 RMP Rule strengthened accountability by requiring hazardous facilities to implement disaster prevention plans, involve workers in safety planning, increase community transparency, and prepare for extreme weather risks.
The data is clear:
- 177 million Americans—over half the U.S. population—live in worst-case scenario zones of chemical disasters.
- Every 2.5 days on average, a fatal or life-threatening chemical incident occurs at a chemical facility.
- Over 19,000 people have been injured or face medical treatment, including 90 lives lost—and workers and first responders are hurt first, according to the best available data from 2004-2020.
- Over $5 billion in damages have resulted from these disasters, placing an enormous burden on communities and state and local governments.
Corporate interests are also pushing to cut off public access to health and safety data, and to remove the Risk Management Public Data Tool — even though under federal law the public has a right to know the chemicals handled in their vicinity. The Risk Management Public Data Tool provides basic information about RMP facilities, such as names of hazardous chemicals at a facility, as well as the facility’s accident history. RMP facilities include chemical plants, refineries, industrial agricultural facilities, and pulp and paper mills.
This EPA’s rulemaking process is expected to conclude by the end of next year.
Represented by Earthjustice, the following community and health groups intervened in industry’s lawsuit challenging the 2024 RMP Rule: Air Alliance Houston, California Communities Against Toxics, Center for Environmental Health, Coalition for a Safe Environment (Wilmington, CA), Del Amo Action Committee, Environmental Justice Health Alliance for Chemical Policy Reform, New Jersey Work Environment Council, Sierra Club, Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services, Union of Concerned Scientists, and Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment. States and the United Steelworkers also joined the case.
For data and maps on recent chemical disasters, visit the Coalition to Prevent Chemical Disasters website.
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