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Grant of $30,000 to Help Chemical Facilities in Missouri Comply with Regulations

Release Date: 08/09/2011
Contact Information: Kris Lancaster, (913) 551-7557, [email protected]


Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Kansas City, Kan., Aug. 9, 2011) - EPA has awarded the Missouri State Emergency Agency (SEMA) $30,000 to assist with outreach, education and implementation of the Clean Air Act’s Risk Management Program. All chemical facilities that handle, process or store a threshold quantity of 500 to 20,000 pounds of regulated chemicals are subject to EPA’s chemical accident prevention requirements.

“This grant is part of an ongoing effort to protect human health and the environment by preventing chemical accidents,” said Karl Brooks, regional administrator. “SEMA is receiving this funding to conduct on-site audits at chemical facilities in Missouri.”

The grant is designed to identify chemical facilities that have not reported under this regulation and enhance communications with state agencies and regulated facilities. Facilities were first required to be in compliance with the Risk Management Program in 1999. EPA then started facility inspections and enforcement of the program, which includes five components: hazard assessment system, management, accident prevention, emergency response and submittal of a risk management plan.

EPA’s chemical accident prevention regulations cover approximately 140 hazardous chemicals including anhydrous ammonia, chlorine and highly flammable substances such as propane.