10/17 - Dr. Paul Hill Resigns Seat at Chemical Safety Board

The White House has confirmed the resignation of Dr. Paul L. Hill, Jr., as a member of the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB). Dr. Hill served as the first Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Board.

Dr. Hill was first appointed to the Board in October 1994 and was reappointed to a second five-year term in 1999. Dr. Hill resigned his position as Chairman on January 12, 2000, but retained his seat on the Board.

The CSB was created by the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 but did not begin operations until 1998. CSB Board Members are nominated by the President and must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. The Board has functioned without a Chair since January 2000.

Commenting on Dr. Hill’s departure, Board spokesman Dr. Andrea Taylor said, “The Board appreciates Dr. Hill's efforts that contributed to the Board's first appropriation of funds in 1997. Dr. Hill played an important early role in developing the Board’s infrastructure, and we wish him well in his future endeavors.”

The CSB is an independent federal agency whose mission is to ensure the safety of workers and the public by preventing chemical incidents. The CSB is a scientific investigatory organization, not an enforcement or regulatory body. The Board determines the root causes of accidents, issues safety recommendations, and performs special studies on chemical safety issues.