Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

groundloop

(13,712 posts)
Fri Feb 27, 2026, 10:05 AM Yesterday

Trump officials move to kill system that protects US from chemical disasters

Source: The Guardian

The Trump administration is slowly dismantling the federal disaster management system that protects the nation from chemical catastrophes, such as fires and explosions at high-risk facilities.

The US Environmental Protection Agency’s Response Management Program (RMP) requires more than 12,500 high-risk facilities to develop protocols to prevent catastrophes, or limit fallout, and was largely designed to protect workers, first responders, and fence-line communities.

In 2024, the Biden administration finalized a rule 12 years in the making that meaningfully strengthened protections. However, industry in early 2025 asked the incoming Donald Trump EPA to undo it because, chemical companies claim, its provisions are too expensive to implement.

The Trump EPA is now moving to kill most of the 2024 rules after it eliminated a public website that informs communities and first responders which chemicals are in use at facilities. The White House has also targeted the Chemical Safety Board, which reviews accidents and develops actions to avoid a repeat.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/feb/27/trump-fire-chemical-safety-system-epa

12 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

Botany

(76,959 posts)
1. A % of America's right wing and super rich buy into the 1930s Nazi meme about there being "useless eaters"
Fri Feb 27, 2026, 10:14 AM
Yesterday

This goes right along with Trump’s ruling to allow coal fired power plants to pollute more
and spread toxins. They want to kill us.

https://democraticunderground.com/1127187931

Nearly All US Coal Power Plants Could Have Met Pollution Rules For Toxic Metals; Shitstain's EPA Cut Those Rules Anyway

Response to Botany (Reply #1)

kimbutgar

(27,106 posts)
4. Do they not think that at some point these regulations won't harm them ?
Fri Feb 27, 2026, 11:32 AM
Yesterday

The stupidity of this current government is mind boggling !

Dustlawyer

(10,539 posts)
9. The Chemical Safety Board investigates explosions, leaks and fires.
Fri Feb 27, 2026, 01:13 PM
Yesterday

Their investigations would help us in representing the victims of these incidents which is why they want this agency killed. The CSB has no teeth to fine or penalize these violators, they just uncover what when wrong. It is always cost cutting and regulation violations that cause these events. We have gutted all of the Regulatory Agencies where these chemical plants and refineries operate. There are no inspections, they do not have the manpower and budget to do so, so they have to “self report.” Do you trust any of these companies to report on their own failures?

kimbutgar

(27,106 posts)
12. The typical repuke way no regulations on corporations but controlling citizens with religion and stupid edicts
Fri Feb 27, 2026, 03:02 PM
Yesterday

So horrendous. They definitely want to speed up the end times or have a big brother country.

That said we will stop them if we stay strong and push back!

generalbetrayus

(1,726 posts)
8. I can see only one explanation for all of Orange Julius Caesar's anti-American actions in his second term in office ...
Fri Feb 27, 2026, 12:57 PM
Yesterday

okay, in his first term in office, too.

SergeStorms

(20,366 posts)
10. The expected kickbacks.....
Fri Feb 27, 2026, 02:35 PM
Yesterday
have not been paid, therefore this program will be doled out to PAC contributors who know the value of greasing TrumpCo.'s palms.
Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Trump officials move to k...