Yesterday, Rosearray, a long-time reader of this blog, left a comment on my Saturday ‘Short Takes’ post, presumably in response to the link to ChemicalProccessing.com editorial about problems at the Chemical Safety Board. Richard provided a link to an EPA Inspector General report published this last week about management problems at the CSB.
The IG’s report provides a straightforward discussion about the personnel vacancy issues that plague the board. Interestingly, the report keys in on the management team vacancies, but glosses over the fact that there are currently only two Board members on what is supposed to be a five-member board. The problem with Board vacancies dates back to the Trump Administration’s attempts to defund the Board. While Congress over road Trumps efforts, they could not force Trump to nominate Board members.
The lack of a full Board, or any indication that Biden intends to appoint a full Board, certainly makes it harder to hire on a management team. The inadequately filled management team makes it near impossible for the Board to solve its other problems, including the inability to complete investigations.
Congress has been doing its part. It has continued to
provide funds for the empty personnel positions. President Biden needs to
appoint three new Board members to fill out the Board. And he needs to nominate
folks that will be able to be confirmed in a potentially Republican controlled
Senate. That means easing back on the personnel with an environmental advocacy
background (see the two current members) and appointing professionals with a
background in chemical processing and chemical safety. They do not necessarily
have a commercial chemistry background, but they should have strong grounding
in the nuts and bolts of chemical manufacturing.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment