Successful Washington Fly-In was held by NACD.
Press Release Summary:
Members of the National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) met in Washington DC for the association's annual Fly-In. During the event, 50 NACD member company participants had 149 meetings scheduled with Senators, Representatives, and congressional staff members representing 33 states. Topics addressed concerns dealing with railroad-specific topics as well as the October 2009 sunset date, CFATS, the Employee Free Choice Act, and chemical industry advocacy.
Original Press Release:
NACD Holds Successful Washington Fly-In
Members of the National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) are meeting in Washington today for the Association's annual Fly-In.
During the event, 50 NACD member company participants have 149 meetings scheduled with Senators, Representatives, and congressional staff members representing 33 states. In the meetings, NACD members are urging Congress to:
Eliminate the October 2009 sunset date and allow the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) to be fully implemented and tested before enacting new chemical security legislation.
Consider Toxic Substances Control Act Reform (TSCA) by supporting approaches like EPA's ChAMP, which has the potential to quickly test and provide public information on more chemicals than a REACH type of framework employed by the European Union.
Enact legislation to eliminate the railroads' antitrust exemption (S. 146 and H.R. 233) and to reform the STB to give rail consumers some recourse when dealing with rail problems.
Maintain the railroads' common carrier obligation to transport HazMat and reject the railroads' proposals to shift some of their liability to shippers.
Oppose the "Employee Free Choice Act," which would allow for a card-check procedure in lieu of a secret ballot for employees when deciding whether to form a union in a workplace.
Other highlights of the Fly-In included a presentation on the importance of chemical industry advocacy by former member of the House of Representatives and current American Chemistry Council President Cal Dooley, an update on the latest CFATS developments by Director of the DHS Infrastructure Security Compliance Division Sue Armstrong, and a meeting with senior members of the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee staff to discuss the 111th Congress agenda.
NACD President Chris Jahn said, "We are particularly pleased that, in the midst of this economically challenging period, so many NACD members realized the importance of coming to Washington to meet with their Senators and Representatives about issues important to the chemical distribution industry. A personal visit to a congressional office by a constituent is by far the most effective way to make an impact on a Senator, Representative, or congressional staff member. Thanks to the more than 149 meetings being held between NACD members and congressional offices," he continued, "there is now a much greater awareness on Capitol Hill about the value NACD chemical distributors bring to the market chain and how key legislative proposals would impact the industry."
NACD and its nearly 250 members have established themselves as leaders in health, safety, security, and environmental performance through implementation of the Responsible Distribution Process (RDP), established in 1991 as a condition of membership in NACD. Incorporated as a condition of membership in January 1999, NACD members undergo third-party on-site RDPV - RDP Verification. For additional information, visit NACD's Web site - www.nacd.com.
