Federal Register: June 25, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 121)

DOCID: fr25jn09-23 FR Doc E9-14835

CHEMICAL SAFETY AND HAZARD INVESTIGATION BOARD

Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board

CFR Citation: 40 CFR Chapter VI

Docket ID: [Docket No. CSB-09-01]

NOTICE: PROPOSED RULES

DOCID: fr25jn09-23

DOCUMENT ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking.

SUBJECT CATEGORY:

Chemical Release Reporting

DATES: Written comments must be received by the CSB on or before August 4, 2009.

DOCUMENT SUMMARY:

The Clean Air Act requires that the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) establish a regulation which would require that accidental chemical releases be reported to the CSB or to the National Response Center. With this advance notice of proposed rulemaking, the CSB seeks to obtain comments on how best to proceed with implementing this requirement. The CSB will use this information in the development of a proposed and then a final rule.

SUMMARY:

Chemical Release Reporting

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Background

Statutory Requirement

The CSB was established by the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. The statute directs the CSB, among other things, to:
[I]nvestigate (or cause to be investigated), determine and report to the public in writing the facts, conditions, and circumstances and the cause or probable cause of any accidental release resulting in a fatality, serious injury or substantial property damages; and
[R]ecommen[d] measures to reduce the likelihood or the consequences of accidental releases and propos[e] corrective steps to
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make chemical production, processing, handling and storage as safe and free from risk of injury as is possible. * * *

42 U.S.C. 7412(r)(6)(C)(i) and (ii).

The CSB's enabling legislation also includes a requirement that the

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT

Christopher Kirkpatrick, at (202) 261- 7600.