Congressman Krishnamoorthi Demands Answers from Trump EPA on Proposed Rollback of Chemical Accident Prevention Safeguards

WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin raising serious concerns about the agency's proposal to weaken or repeal key "Accidental Release Prevention" safeguards under the Clean Air Act's Risk Management Program (RMP). In the letter, Congressman Krishnamoorthi warned that the proposed changes could increase the risk of catastrophic chemical accidents and undermine protections for workers, first responders, and communities living near hazardous facilities.

In the letter, Congressman Krishnamoorthi wrote, "I write to express my deep concern regarding the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposal to significantly weaken or even repeal key portions of'Accidental Release Prevention' regulations for facilities subject to the Risk Management Program." He emphasized that Congress created the program "with a clear directive: prevent catastrophic chemical accidents and protect workers, first responders, and surrounding communities," and warned that the proposal would "roll back progress and reverse common-sense protections."

Citing federal data showing nearly 100 reportable chemical accidents annually at covered facilities between 2016 and 2020, Congressman Krishnamoorthi highlighted the stakes of weakening safety requirements, noting that these incidents resulted in worker fatalities, thousands of injuries, and billions of dollars in property damage. He underscored that the 2024 rule strengthened emergency coordination, safer technology assessments, and public access to hazard information, and warned that eliminating these safeguards would expose communities to heightened risks.

Highlighting the local impact, Congressman Krishnamoorthi pointed to more than 6,000 hazardous material incidents reported in Illinois between 2020 and 2025 and noted that hundreds of thousands of residents live in chemical vulnerability zones near highly toxic substances such as hydrofluoric acid, benzene, and chlorine. He wrote that "the patients, children, and seniors living in these impacted areas rely on the EPA to prevent these incidents from happening in the first place," stressing that the agency's proposal could disproportionately affect marginalized communities.

Congressman Krishnamoorthi also raised concerns that the proposed rollback follows other recent EPA actions that may weaken environmental and public health protections, writing that "these actions raise serious concerns that the agency is retreating from its core mission to protect human health and the environment."

Congressman Krishnamoorthi requested that the EPA provide responses by March 13, 2026, to the following questions:

1. How does the proposed rollback align with Congress's directive in the Clean Air Act to prevent accidental releases of hazardous substances?
2. How many RMP facilities has the EPA identified in Illinois that would be affected by the EPA's change in regulation?
3. What evidence demonstrates that eliminating safer technology assessments will not increase the likelihood or severity of catastrophic chemical incidents?
4. How will nearby residents and first responders obtain timely and actionable hazard information if facilities are no longer required to provide it online or readily?
5. What analysis has EPA conducted regarding the impact of these rollbacks on underserved and rural communities?
6. How does EPA reconcile its current proposal with its statutory obligation to protect public health?

Congressman Krishnamoorthi's letter is availablehere.