Although the incumbent party’s frontrunner is strategically ambiguous on how she plans to reconcile America’s growing dependency on fossil fuels with the nascent green industry, industrial manufacturers can expect Vice President Kamala Harris to continue the Biden administration’s environmental stewardship in reducing our carbon footprint if elected president. Unlike former President Donald Trump, who scaled back federal safety inspections while in office, a Harris administration would portend acute chemical intervention while closing legal loopholes that skirt strenuous classifications for handling hazardous waste.
Earlier this year, the Environmental Protection Agency sought clarification of government-addled bureaucracy that previously obfuscated ambiguous hazardous waste terminology and which substances fell under federal purview and oversight. While the hazardous waste categorization or residual chemicals and byproducts was never intended to be a point of contention, some confusion has resulted on which hazardous materials are subject to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, including notorious PFAS.
What are PFAS?
PFAS, known by their sanitized academic definition as polyfluoroalkyl substances, are artificial “forever chemicals” used in many consumer products and industrial operations. PFAS can be found in almost every American home in a range of common products, including water-resistant fabrics, leather goods, food packaging, and fire extinguishing retardants. PFAS are invasive as they are durable. Although the chemical compound was designed to withstand extreme temperatures in hostile cooking and manufacturing settings, PFAS carries long-lasting health risks that impact nearly every American. PFAS have known carcinogens and hormone inhibitors, posing life-threatening health complications through air and waterborne pollutants. The United States Geological Survey estimates at least one PFAS has contaminated at least 45 percent of all available tap water. It’s axiomatic as to why the EPA wanted clarification on defining “forever chemicals” under hazardous waste criteria.
What Would Chemical Storage Look Like Under Trump
Although former President Trump reassures probing reporters that he has “concepts” of a plan for the nation’s slowly rebounding economy, no one is certain how his proposed regulations would impact chemical storage. Trump is adamant his business-first philosophies will take a hands-off approach to natural resource management, much to the chagrin of environmentalists. His “Drill, Baby. Drill” slogan has become a rallying call for corporate elites who expect looser regulations in a continued era of American protectionism and repudiation of Climate Change legislation. An expanding hydrocarbon industry should increase demand for ancillary chemicals, such as degreasers and powerful lubricants. More significant chemical stockpiles on hand will require common-sense storage practices to protect workers and the environment. While federal safety inspections could again fall by the wayside under Trump, project managers, and safety engineers should prioritize prudent chemical storage solutions for their growing stockpiles. Failure to protect workers could subject manufacturers to civil litigation for unmitigated workplace accidents.
Anticipating New Chemical Storage Regulations Under Harris
While the presidential election is still weeks away, manufacturers should stay poised to implement life-saving chemical storage to safeguard flammable chemical stockpiles exceeding 25 gallons, as required by OSHA. U.S. Hazmat Storage offers a wide range fire-rated and non-fire-rated chemical storage warehouses for every workflow operation. Each chemical storage locker is fortified with solid-steel paneling and superior welds to prevent inadvertent cross-sector contamination and accidental pollution. Onsite chemical storage also prevents bad actors and opportunistic thieves from stealing dangerous, expensive industrial chemicals. Contact us today for a free quote and consultation!