Carole L. Macko
EPA's Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office

The Chemical Safety Information, Site Security and Fuels Regulatory Relief Act requires facilities that submitted Risk Management Plans for Program 2 or Program 3 processes by June 21, 1999, to convene a public meeting by Feb. 1, 2000, to describe and discuss local implications of risk management plans. Approximately 95% of the 14,500 facilities that reported RMP information must provide the public with at least a summary of their "worst-case scenario." Facilities that hosted meetings between Aug. 5, 1998, and Aug. 5, 1999, get credit for that meeting if it was publicly advertised and if the local impact of a worst-case accident was discussed. Small business stationary sources as defined under Clean Air Act Section 507 (c) (1) may opt to post a summary of their OCA information instead of holding a public meeting.

Reasonable notice to the public must be given before the meeting is held. Facility managers must make the call on what constitutes "reasonable notice." Many facility managers are publishing notices in local newspapers, asking a reporter to write a story about the facility and announce the meeting, doing radio announcements, or including a notice in the monthly utility bill.

For many companies the idea of publicly discussing the potential danger their facility poses to the community was not inviting.

Prior to Aug. 5, a company's RMP compliance obligations were met when they submitted their Risk Management Plan. The Clean Air Act did not require a public meeting to discuss risk. However, many large chemical companies, realizing that the best way to reduce public fear is through open, honest dialogue, held meetings earlier this year to discuss their worst-case scenarios with the public.

Many plant managers and business owners say sharing RMP data openly has been a springboard to a better relationship with their community. The public meeting is giving these businesses an opportunity to get acquainted with their Local Emergency Planning Committee, fire chief, or elected local officials...and companies say they like the interaction! Other facilities have chosen different forums, such as the PTA and local school board meetings, to talk to the public about their RMP's.

And others often are receiving unexpected benefits as a result of the public meetings! For example, one Maryland water treatment plant manager volunteered to host a free training for volunteer firefighters on chlorine safety when he discovered the volunteer force lacked funds. In a similar effort, 13 large businesses in Allentown, Pa., forged a partnership to provide a forum for exchanging ideas about safety programs. In an effort to strengthen safety awareness and know-how within their town, the group will survey small companies to find out what type of support would be most beneficial.

For more information on public meeting requirements and success stories, tap into EPA's Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office at http://www.epa.gov/ceppo/.