Legislative update: NACD chairman testifies on chemical security before House subcommittee

On March 31, NACD Chairman Andrew Skipp testified before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy in support of H.R. 908 to extend the Department of Homeland Security's authority to implement the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards program for an additional seven years. Other witnesses at the hearing included representatives from DHS, the Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates, the American Coatings Association and the Blue-Green Alliance.More

Regulatory update: NACD asks DOT to withdraw highway-rail grade crossing proposal

NACD recently submitted comments to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration requesting the agencies withdraw a proposed rule to prohibit motor vehicles from entering highway-rail grade crossings unless there is sufficient space to drive completely through without stopping.More

Legislative update: House passes bill to stop duplicative pesticide rule

By a vote of 292-130, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 872, which would stop the implementation of a court order requiring pesticide applications in and around U.S. waters to be covered by National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits under the Clean Water Act. Under a recently issued extension, the court gave the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency until October 31 to implement the new permitting process.More

Legislative update: Senate committee discusses disease clusters, TSCA reform

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee recently held a hearing on disease clusters and environmental health. The star witness was Erin Brockovich. During the hearing, EPW Committee Chair Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, announced the introduction of S. 76, the Strengthening Protections for Children and Communities from Disease Clusters Act. The bill would create a public database of information on disease clusters and provide a mechanism for petitioning the federal government to investigate or take action to address potential causes of disease clusters.More

Legislative update: Congressman Waxman seeks information on PBT chemicals

On April 1, Rep. Henry Waxman, R-Calif., the ranking Democrat member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, sent letters to the CEOs of 15 chemical manufacturers requesting information about the production of persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) chemicals. The letters request basic identifying information on all PBT chemicals produced, testing methods and information provided to customers. Responses are due by April 22.More

Survey: What respondents think about public opinion of the chemicals industry
Chemical Processing
Respondents are split on the public's negative opinion of the chemicals industry. Nearly 38 percent are somewhat concerned about public opinion but another 38 percent remain unconcerned. Only 12 percent are very concerned about public opinion and 11 percent say they aren't at all concerned.More

Trucking scrambles to add jobs in March
Journal of Commerce
Trucking showed the strongest employment growth in March among transportation and warehousing industries tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Hiring slowed, however, after a surge in employment in February. Trucking added 1,600 jobs in March, compared with 11,000 jobs in February, the BLS said.More

UN suggests pesticides, chemicals for watch list
Reuters via MSNBC
The United Nations has suggested three pesticides and three industrial chemicals be put on a trade "watch list" because they can threaten human health and the environment, the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization has said. U.N. chemical experts have proposed that pesticides endosulfan and azinphos methyl and the hazardous pesticide formulation Gramoxone Super be added to the Rotterdam Convention's Prior Informed Consent procedure. The U.N.-backed Convention prevents unwanted trade in chemicals included in the legally binding procedure. It does not introduce bans, but helps its members make informed decisions on trade in hazardous chemicals.More