Hurricane-related power outages could trigger chemical releases

Hurricane-related power outages could trigger chemical releases, safety board warns.  Safety & Health Magazine, August 21, 2023

Washington — Hurricanes and high winds could “significantly impact” the U.S. bulk-power system and lead to the release of hazardous chemicals if facilities lose power, the Chemical Safety Board says.

Board members are urging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to revise a recent final rule that covers transmission system planning performance requirements for extreme weather for the bulk-power system.

In a letter dated July 13, CSB urges FERC to address hurricanes and high winds “in a future rulemaking as soon as possible.” Published on June 23 and set to go into effect Sept. 21, the FERC and Department of Energy final rule doesn’t address extreme weather events apart from heat and cold, the letter contends, “although stakeholders had urged” the agencies to consider other extreme weather.

Click here read the full article from Safety & Health Magazine, August, 2023.