Survey Results: Voluntary Disclosure of RMP Offsite Consequence Analysis Data


		AcuSafe -> July 2000 Newsletter
		Survey Results: Voluntary Disclosure of RMP Offsite Consequence Analysis Data

This issue of disclosure of offsite consequence analysis (OCA) data over the Internet has been the subject of great controversy over the last several years, including congressional action in the form of the Chemical Safety Information, Site Security and Fuels Regulatory Relief Act. The FBI and EPA, numerous companies and trade associations, environmental organizations, and other interested parties all were important stakeholders on this question.

While the law does not require regulated facilities to post their OCA data at this time, some facilities have chosen to do so. In light of the controversy over disclosure, AcuSafe's online poll last month asked, "Do you think voluntary disclosure on EPA's website is a good idea?" Comments received from our readers show that even after passage of the new law, there is no consensus opinion on this issue.

Some responders commented that such disclosure should be made mandatory, with all regulated facilities openly sharing this information. "If we choose not to disclose then it can appear that we are hiding something. If we do publish this information and make it available we have at least shown that we are not hiding anything and we will probably get better at what we do because more eyes will be on us."

Others saw the terrorist threat as more significant, "No way, why would we want to increase the amount of information available to those elements of society who seek to harm others through violent acts. This information could be used by terrorist organizations looking for easy targets that could cause major damage in a community."

In response to the belief that terrorists and other undesirable persons would gain easy and immediate access to sensitive information, one reader wrote, "Disclosure may give a little more information to someone who wants to do terrorism but they could easily find locations anyway by reading trade journals or just scouting companies that make products that would need to use large quantities of toxic or flammable materials. Disclosure will not make much difference."

As we all await EPA's final ruling regarding the disclosure of offsite consequence data (to be released before August 5), it is easy to see from this controversy that they have their work cut out for them.