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Techno Bits/Technical Bulletins AIR ISSUES AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - ARCHIVED New Rules on Public Access to RMP Data The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Justice (DOJ) have recently released regulations governing access to restricted off-site consequence analysis (OCA) data collected as part of the Risk Management Program (RMP) program. Assessments conducted by the EPA and the DOJ have determined that unlimited Internet access to this data could have negative impacts due to potential industrial terrorism. Thus, a system of providing public access to this data in the form of paper copies has been established. Internet access will be allowed for OCA data elements that pose the lowest risk of criminal use. Fifty federal reading rooms are anticipated to be established by December 31, 2000. These rooms will allow the public read-only access to the OCA data within certain constraints. Limited OCA data will be posted on the Internet by December 31, 2000. The public will also have access to an Internet-based Vulnerable Zone Indicator System (VZIS). Individuals may submit a specific address (home, work or school location) via mail, email or a toll-free number. The VZIS will indicate if the submitted address falls within any of the vulnerable zones submitted by RMP facilities. VZIS is expected to be operational by October 5, 2000. More information can be found on the EPA's Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office (CEPPO) website at http://www.epa.gov/ceppo.
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