First Half of 2023 – June 2023
July 3, 2023
Chemistry Advocates, With the first half of the year entering the rearview, we did some reflecting on all that #TeamChemistry has worked on and celebrated so far in 2023.
Visiting Facilities Across the United States
Recently, Rep. Brad Wenstrup visited DuPont’s Circleville, OH site. This site employs more than 500 full-time employees and many more contractors who manufacture Kapton® Polyimide films, Tedlar® PVF film, and Vespel® parts and shapes. These materials are used in building, construction, healthcare, clean energy, aerospace, electronics & other applications. During a tour of this R&D and manufacturing site, we learned that ~99% of both commercial + military planes include Vespel® parts or shapes in their engines. In addition to their important work in production, the DuPont employees also make strides in their community – participating in Community Action Day and supporting the Circleville City Police and other local groups.
In Marietta, OH, Senator J.D. Vance visited Solvay, which makes polymers that support the medical, water quality, aviation, and electronics industries. The Senator called Solvay “An incredible specialty chemicals facility in the heart of southeast Ohio“ and noted that he plans to work to reduce the regulatory burden on manufacturers in the country.
Congress Must Act to Renew National Security Protections
The Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism (CFATS) program is important to national security and must not be allowed to expire on July 27th, 2023.
WHAT IS IT?…The CFATS program establishes practical security performance standards to address a wide range of potential threat scenarios, including a physical attack, theft and diversion and cyberattacks. Under CFATS, companies must develop and submit security plans to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for approval. NEXT STEPS…Congress must pass a long-term authorization for CFATS to keep protections in place for chemical facilities, workers and communities across the country. Doing so will also provide much needed regulatory certainty for CFATS that will support continued investments into enhancing security.
WHY.. CFATS has been reauthorized by Congress four times with strong bipartisan support and this time should be no different.
HOW TO HELP…click here to learn more.
Member Highlight
This month, the American Chemistry Council (ACC) presented ExxonMobil Product Solutions Company with the Responsible Care® Company of the Year award, recognizing their continued and exemplary commitment to advancing environmental, health, and safety (EH&S) performance within their organization and on behalf of the global chemical industry.
ExxonMobil illustrates safety excellence through a dedication to continual self-evaluation and improvement. Through engagement in Community Advisory Panels in their facility communities, ExxonMobil identifies community needs and implements meaningful programs for community support. This includes:
• Engaging with local schools to drive a diverse future workforce,
• Providing transparent information about air quality through community air monitors and easy-to-understand data-sharing, and
• Investment in environmental stewardship programs, including one of the nation’s most comprehensive wildlife rehabilitation facilities in Corpus Christi, Texas.
The Big New TSCA Review Tracking Tool
#DidYouKnow that only 10% of new chemical reviews have been completed on time? With U.S. businesses, jobs, and competitiveness depending on a functioning new chemicals program, we’re urging this program to improve its efficiency.
The American Chemistry Council (ACC) announced a new tool tracking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) progress in new chemicals reviews under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
ACC designed the tool to track the lagging progress of EPA’s New Chemicals Program. Updated monthly using EPA public data sources, the tool provides a transparent overview of:
- Total number of new chemicals undergoing TSCA review
- Number of new chemicals reviewed within the TSCA-mandated 90-day deadline
- New chemical reviews exceeding 90 days.
ACC’s new chemicals analysis and visualizations currently show there are a total of 397 new chemicals currently undergoing TSCA review, and the 361 chemicals remaining in EPA’s review process have been under review for more than 90 days.Check out the tool here.
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