Condemn Trump-led Gutting of Chemical Plant Risk Management Program

I am writing to urge you to condemn the Trump administration's plan to dismantle federal disaster management systems protecting chemical plant workers and surrounding communities. This decision is reckless—coming precisely when chemical accidents are surging across America. Just this past May, a valve failure at an aerospace plant in Garden Grove, California nearly caused a catastrophic explosion in a tank holding 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate, evacuating more than 50,000 residents. That same week, a tank rupture at a Washington State paper mill released 900,000 gallons of white liquor, killing one person, leaving nine missing and presumed dead, and injuring ten others. These back-to-back crises exemplify the high-profile chemical disasters over the past year that our weakening protections can no longer prevent. The Trump administration is gutting the federal Risk Management Program (RMP), which requires over 12,500 high-risk chemical facilities to prevent catastrophes. The RMP mandates modern detection technology, backup safety measures, safer chemical alternatives, and "double disaster" planning for hurricanes and other natural events. Approximately 131 million Americans—including millions in our state—live within three miles of RMP facilities. These risks fall disproportionately on low-income communities and communities of color, already bearing the greatest burden while receiving the least protection. Chemical disasters are happening now. When Hurricane Harvey struck Houston in 2017, it unleashed a toxic wave of pollution: dark smoke and flames spewed from malfunctioning petrochemical plants, oil and gas spilled from ruptured storage tanks, and a ruptured storage tank in Galena Park released 460,000 gallons of gasoline into the community. Residents reported gasoline odors so strong their eyes watered; some swam to safety through oily, black water. Last summer, Hurricane Beryl prompted Houston refineries to report toxic chemical pollution releases. Last fall, Hurricane Helene triggered industrial and chemical contamination in waterways across the Southeast—exactly the "double disaster" scenario RMP safeguards are designed to prevent. As climate change drives more frequent and severe weather, the risk compounds. Communities nationwide continue to experience hydrogen sulfide discharges, potassium hydroxide and hydrofluoric acid spills that closed schools, anhydrous ammonia leaks requiring hazmat response, and violent polymerization explosions near residential areas and elementary schools. These incidents demand stronger protections, not dismantling. The Trump administration has eliminated the public EPA website informing communities about nearby chemicals and is targeting the Chemical Safety Board's $14 million budget. Yet industry voluntarily adopts 90% of the Board's safety recommendations. Eliminating this investment that saves lives at minimal cost is inexcusable. The message is clear: corporate profits are more important than worker safety and community health. I urge you to publicly condemn these rollbacks and co-sponsor legislation protecting chemical plant safety standards. The next catastrophe could occur in my community. Workers, first responders, and families deserve protection, not sacrifice.