The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released its final Risk Management Program (RMP) rule. The RMP—which serves as the nation’s primary defense against catastrophic industrial chemical releases, fires, and explosions—covers approximately 12,000 commercial and industrial facilities that use or store large amounts of specific, highly toxic or highly flammable chemicals. The EPA estimates that 177 million people in the United States live close enough to an industrial facility to be harmed by a chemical release, fire, or explosion. That is more than half the U.S. population and that risk falls disproportionately on low-income and communities of color.

In response to the release of the final rule, the BlueGreen Alliance issued the following statement from Executive Director Jason Walsh:

“A strong RMP rule empowers workers and saves lives. It protects workers and emergency responders and safeguards communities in the shadow of these chemical facilities. Countless communities are unnecessarily living under the threat of a chemical disaster—toxic releases, fires, and explosions. The RMP is critical to minimizing that risk.

“We thank EPA for finalizing this rule and will continue to work to ensure worker and community safety.”