| House Committee Approves Chemical Security Legislation with IST Mandate |
| |
On Thursday, March 6, the House Homeland Security Committee approved the “Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2008” by a vote of 15-7. This legislation makes several changes to the current law and Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) that would be problematic for industry. The bill requires all covered facilities to consider the use of inherently safer technologies (ISTs) and gives the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) the authority to mandate facilities assigned to high-risk tiers to implement ISTs, gives states and localities the authority to adopt more stringent requirements unless they are in actual conflict with the federal law, requires facilities to conduct periodic drills and exercises with the participation of local officials and emergency responders, and authorizes the use of third-parties to review security vulnerability assessments and site security plans and to inspect facilities. Prior to the mark-up session, NACD sent a letter to each member of the committee outlining the reasons for the concerns listed above. The letter also noted that the legislation is premature because the CFATS are still in the early stages of implementation. For a copy of the letter, go to /advocacy/comments.aspx. If you would like to view a recording of committee mark-up, it is available at http://hsc.house.gov/Hearings/index.asp?ID=120. The legislation will receive a number and will be posted on the Library of Congress legislative database later this week when sponsor and Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-MS) officially introduces it. The House Energy and Commerce Committee is expected to consider the bill next. If you have any questions about the legislation, please contact NACD Vice President of Government &
Public Affairs Jennifer Gibson at jgibson@nacd.com or 703/527-6223, ext. 103. |
| |
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
| Deadline to Register for Washington Fly-In and Hotel Less Than Two Weeks Away – March 24 |
| |
The deadline to register for the April 8-9 NACD Washington Fly-In is less than two weeks away on Monday, March 24. Register today by filling out the on-line form at /advocacy/washingtonFlyin.aspx. March 24 is also the deadline to receive the NACD group rate of $249 S/D at the Fly-In hotel, the Hotel Palomar, Arlington. Secure your room by calling 1-866/505-1001 by March 24 and referencing the NACD Washington Fly-In. As described above, Congress is on the way to adopting significant changes to CFATS even though the first compliance deadline was only a few weeks ago. Members of Congress need to hear from you – their constituents – about how changes to this regulation at this point would be disruptive to implementation of the significant new requirements. Your visit to Washington can truly make a difference. Numerous surveys of congressional offices have demonstrated that a face-to-face constituent visit with a Senator, Representative, or one of their staff members is more effective than any other lobbying technique, including phone calls, letters, and sending Washington lobbyists to Capitol Hill. The Fly-In is the perfect opportunity for you to have these face-to-face meetings and discuss chemical security and other issues. If you have any questions or if you would like more information, please contact Jennifer Gibson at jgibson@nacd.com or 703/527-6223, ext. 103. |
| |
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
| Green Chemistry Legislation Introduced in Senate |
| |
On February 26, Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) introduced S. 2669, the "Green Chemistry Research and Development Act." The legislation would establish a program to promote and coordinate federal green chemistry research, development, education, and technology transfer activities through merit-reviewed grants, green chemistry research at federal laboratories, and the encouragement of consideration of green chemistry in the conduct of federal chemical science and engineering research. The bill would also expand education and training in the area of green chemistry and provide venues for outreach and dissemination of information. An interagency working group made up of the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Energy would coordinate the program. The House of Representatives approved similar legislation, H.R. 2850, last September. For a copy of S. 2669, go to http://thomas.loc.gov, type S. 2669 into the top box, mark the bill number circle, and hit the search key. |
| |
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
| House Subcommittee Holds Rail Competition Hearing |
| |
On February 25, the House Judiciary Committee Antitrust Task Force held a hearing on H.R. 1650, the Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act, sponsored by Representative Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), to strengthen the Surface Transportation Board, require greater competition among railroads, and eliminate the railroads’ antitrust exemption. Shippers testified during the hearing that the antitrust exemption has allowed the railroads to gain monopoly power, which has given them the ability to charge high rates and deliver poor service. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved similar legislation, S. 772, last December. To read the witness testimony or to view a recording of the hearing, go to http://judiciary.house.gov/Oversight.aspx?ID=413. |
| |
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
| Surface Transportation Board to Hold Hearing on Common Carrier Obligation |
| |
The Surface Transportation Board will hold a public hearing in Washington, DC on April 24 to examine the common carrier obligation of railroads. According to the February 27 Federal Register announcement, the hearing will highlight the importance of the common carrier obligation in order to provide a better understanding of it and to assist the Board in its monitoring and compliance work. The hearing will focus on various topics related to the extent of the common carrier obligation, including, but not limited to: (1) Service limitation resulting from a capacity constrained environment; (2) cost and safety issues related to the transportation of hazardous materials, especially toxic inhalation hazards; (3) carrier-imposed requirements for infrastructure investments by shippers; (4) the impact of volume requirements or incentives; (5) economically motivated service reductions and metering of the demand for service; (6) the proper use of rail embargoes; (7) when it becomes necessary to obtain abandonment authorization; and (8) to whom does the common carrier obligation apply. For a copy of the Federal Register notice, go to http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html, type “page10509” into the top box, and hit the submit button. |
| |
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
| FECC Publishes Q&A for Non-EU Exporters of Chemicals |
| |
The European Association of Chemical Distributors (FECC) has published a leaflet, “Answers to Frequently Asked Questions on the Implications of REACH for Companies Exporting Chemicals to the EU.” The leaflet is posted on the REACH resources page of the NACD Web site at /advocacy/resources.aspx. |
| |
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
| ACTION ITEM: 2007 Membership & Performance Data Report Due |
| |
All NACD Regular members must complete the 2007 Membership & Performance Data Report survey. To access the survey, go to /dist_process/rdp_indices_members.aspx. Please direct this questionnaire to the appropriate person in your office and make sure it is completely filled out and returned to NACD via fax at 703/527-7747, or e-mailed to mlang@nacd.com immediately. There are no changes between these questions and those asked last year. Please note that all specific company information will be kept confidential. |
| |
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
| Meet Your Verifier at the RDP Code Coordinator Workshop! |
| |
NACD’s verifying companies will be at the RDP Code Coordinator Orientation and Workshop in Chicago, IL, on May 5-6. This is an indispensible way to get all of your questions answered! Register on-line for both the Workshop and hotel at /dist_process/workshops.aspx. Space is limited and the Workshop is expected to sell out! |
| |
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
| RDP & Public Warehouses Presentation |
| |
If you missed the Feb. 4 Webinar, you can download the presentation slides at /dist_process/documents.aspx under "Presentations." |
| |
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
| Reduce Number and Cost of Supplier Audits |
| |
Distributors: Do you experience multiple audits from your suppliers?
Suppliers: Do you have to audit your distributors?
If you answer “yes” to either of these questions, you could save time and money by inquiring about NACD's RDP Verification program. Eliminate multiple audits and multiple audit protocols. Visit /dist_process/srdpv.aspx for more information. |
| |
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
| Aloha! Western Region Meeting - April 23-26, 2008 |
| |
Register today! Everyone is welcome to attend!
April 23-26, 2008
Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Resort, Big Island of Hawaii
Airport: Kona (KOA)
Toll-free Reservation: 800/367-2323
Ask for the NACD Group Rate: $240 for Ocean View
https://reservations.ihotelier.com/crs/g_reservation.cfm?groupID=82654&hotelID=13074
http://www.maunalani.com/index.htm
Hotel Registration Deadline was Friday, March 7, 2008
|
| |
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
| Celebrate Father's Day at Amelia Island Plantation - June 15-17, 2008 |
| |
Southern Region Meeting – Save the Date! Everyone is welcome to attend!
June 15-17, 2008
Amelia Island Plantation
6800 First Coast Highway
Amelia Island, FL 32034
Tel: 904/261-6161
Fax: 904/277-5945
Reservations: 888/261-6165
Reference Code: 8B48ZF
NACD Group Room Rate: $189/night
Hotel Reservation Deadline: May 6, 2008
Please note that Group Room Rates are available 3 days prior and 3 days after the meeting, depending on availability. Visit: www.aipfl.com for hotel information.
|
| |
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
| Central Region Meeting – Save the Date! |
| |
Everyone is welcome to attend!
June 24-25, 2008!
The Grand Hotel Minneapolis
615 Second Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Tel: 612/288-8888
Reservations: 866/TheGrand (843-47263) or 612/288-8888
Reference Code: NACD Group
NACD Group Room Rate: $229/night
Hotel Reservatioan Deadline: May 28, 2008
Please note that Group Room Rates are available 3 days prior and 3 days after the meeting, depending on availability.
Hotel Web site: http://www.preferredhotels.com/values/hotel_descr.asp?id=49116&travelAgentId=09546386&src=tig2_googlemaps_MSPMG
|
| |
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
| OPSEM and Annual Meeting Exhibitors/Sponsors Wanted! |
| |
Please note that NACD mailed the OPSEM Exhibitor/Sponsor Prospectus last week.
Call Roselle Foley for your booth reservation, sponsorship, and advertising opportunities today for both meetings! You may e-mail her at rfoley@nacd.com or call 703/527-6223 x 112.
The 2008 Annual Meeting's theme is You Are The Difference.
New opportunity! Sponsorship of the Annual Meeting Keynote speaker!. Call Roselle Foley for details.
|
| |
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
| ZAP THE GAP - How to Solve the Multi-generational Puzzle |
| |
Wednesday, March 12, 2008 - 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm (Eastern)
Think you have heard all there is to hear about the four different generations in the workplace? Bet you haven't heard this hilarious spin on how to attract, train, market, manage, and retain people from every generation. You get to laugh while acquiring tools you can use immediately to improve your multi-generational relationships with clients, customers, and co-workers. For more information and to register, click here.
|
| |
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
|
| New Web Site Feature – How to Create a Crisis Communication Plan |
|
| |
For instructions on how to create a Crisis Communications Plan on NACD's Web site, go to /resources/resourceCenter.aspx. This new resource provides easy-to-follow directives for communicating with the media, employees and their families, customers, suppliers, and the community. This document tells you how to develop a thorough, yet simple Crisis Communications Plan that tells you what to say, when to say it, and what tools to use. Resources in this document include government Web sites, crisis communication experts, articles published in the Chemical Distributor, NACD members’ suggestions and lessons learned. An Executive Summary in pdf format is available to print out. Also see the 2008 Issue #1 Chemical Distributor article, pages14-15, The Crisis in Crisis Communications. |
| |
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
|
| Vanguard Award Ceremony - Still Time to Register |
| |
CEF invites you to attend the Vanguard Award Ceremony on April 7 at the Hotel Palomar in Arlington, VA. The ceremony will honor Patrick J. Marantette, President of E.T. Horn Company, located in La Mirada, CA, for his outstanding commitment to chemistry and chemical education.
The event kicks off NACD's Washington Fly-In week and will begin with a 6 p.m. reception followed by dinner. Attendees will include members from the chemical distribution and supplier communities. In addition to the event recognizing a valued member of the industry, it also provides an excellent opportunity to network with your industry colleagues.
To reserve your seat, please fill out the registration form found on the CEF Web site at http://www.chemed.org/Downloads/Vanguard/VanguardRegForm08.pdf or contact Cori Bradley at cbradley@chemed.org or 703/527-6223 x 116. The registration deadline is March 18.
|
| |
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
| NACD Sponsors CEF Program in Area School |
| |
On February 29, NACD President & COO Chris Jahn and several NACD and CEF staff members participated in an award ceremony for winners of the NACD-sponsored Washington, DC, You Be The Chemist Challenge.
The event took place at the Washington International School (WIS), located in the District. All WIS 8th grade classes participated in a written exam the week before. Top scorer Emily Pakulski was announced as the DC YBTC Challenge winner. She will participate in the national competition on June 13 in Philadelphia, PA.
Jahn presented Pakulski and the four students who rounded out the top five winners with Barnes & Noble gift certificates, with the top three also receiving trophies. The fifteen highest-scoring students received YBTC Challenge T-shirts. To learn more about the DC YBTC Challenge, visit the WIS Web site at http://www.wis.edu/news/detail.asp?pageaction=ViewSinglePublic&LinkID=2146&ModuleID=111.
|
| |
|
| |
Back to Top |
| |
Who Is NACD?
