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NACD Releases 2010 Legislative Agenda
The National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) released its 2010 legislative agenda, detailing key priorities that will have a critical impact on the industry and its customers.
“The issues that shape our 2010 agenda not only affect chemical distributors, but also the 750,000 customers they serve,” said NACD President Chris Jahn. “Our goal is to communicate the positive role chemical distribution companies play in local communities throughout the United States, and how legislation being debated in Congress could lead to unintended results of higher costs and eliminated jobs, especially for small businesses.”
The key issues shaping NACD’s 2010 agenda are:
Chemical Facility Security: NACD is committed to the safety of chemical facilities, and was the first chemical trade association to approve new security measures, as part of its management program, the Responsible Distribution ProcessSM (RDP). New potential requirements like inherently safer technologies (ISTs) will increase costs for chemical distribution companies, making it difficult for the industry to implement real chemical site security measures. NACD will continue to urge Congress to extend the current Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards. This major new security regulation needs more time to be fully implemented and evaluated before changes such as mandatory ISTs are added to the program.
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Reform: NACD believes that TSCA needs to be reformed, and supports efforts giving the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) more authority to regulate highly harmful and hazardous chemicals. However, any reform of TSCA must take into account the positive role chemical distributors have played in the safe handling and delivery of chemicals in the marketplace through the Responsible Distribution Process.
Hazardous Material Transportation Reauthorization: NACD members are strongly committed to the safe and secure transportation of hazardous materials. NACD supports continued strong national regulation, including federal preemption, of hazardous materials in transportation. Uniform regulation is essential for protecting the public, facilitating compliance, and providing for efficient movement of essential materials in intrastate, interstate, and foreign commerce.
Rail Competition: NACD Members continue to face unreasonable prices and conditions from railroads that have monopolies in key areas. NACD is pleased that both the Senate and House Judiciary Committees approved legislation that would eliminate the railroad industry’s anti-trust exemption, ensuring fair competition and lower costs for consumers. NACD also supports the legislation approved by the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee that would reform the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to give shippers more recourse in disputes over service and rates. We will advocate these bills to be passed and signed into law this year.
For more information visit: www.nacd.com/advocacy/positionPapers.aspx.
“The issues that shape our 2010 agenda not only affect chemical distributors, but also the 750,000 customers they serve,” said NACD President Chris Jahn. “Our goal is to communicate the positive role chemical distribution companies play in local communities throughout the United States, and how legislation being debated in Congress could lead to unintended results of higher costs and eliminated jobs, especially for small businesses.”
The key issues shaping NACD’s 2010 agenda are:
Chemical Facility Security: NACD is committed to the safety of chemical facilities, and was the first chemical trade association to approve new security measures, as part of its management program, the Responsible Distribution ProcessSM (RDP). New potential requirements like inherently safer technologies (ISTs) will increase costs for chemical distribution companies, making it difficult for the industry to implement real chemical site security measures. NACD will continue to urge Congress to extend the current Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards. This major new security regulation needs more time to be fully implemented and evaluated before changes such as mandatory ISTs are added to the program.
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Reform: NACD believes that TSCA needs to be reformed, and supports efforts giving the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) more authority to regulate highly harmful and hazardous chemicals. However, any reform of TSCA must take into account the positive role chemical distributors have played in the safe handling and delivery of chemicals in the marketplace through the Responsible Distribution Process.
Hazardous Material Transportation Reauthorization: NACD members are strongly committed to the safe and secure transportation of hazardous materials. NACD supports continued strong national regulation, including federal preemption, of hazardous materials in transportation. Uniform regulation is essential for protecting the public, facilitating compliance, and providing for efficient movement of essential materials in intrastate, interstate, and foreign commerce.
Rail Competition: NACD Members continue to face unreasonable prices and conditions from railroads that have monopolies in key areas. NACD is pleased that both the Senate and House Judiciary Committees approved legislation that would eliminate the railroad industry’s anti-trust exemption, ensuring fair competition and lower costs for consumers. NACD also supports the legislation approved by the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee that would reform the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to give shippers more recourse in disputes over service and rates. We will advocate these bills to be passed and signed into law this year.
For more information visit: www.nacd.com/advocacy/positionPapers.aspx.
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