Over the last several years, NACD and our membership have made it a point to become more committed to advocating on behalf of the chemical distribution industry on the state and local level. With state legislatures increasingly drafting and passing legislation that places new environmental requirements and tax burdens on our members, I believe we must act both offensively and defensively to educate state policymakers about the immense value our Responsible Distribution program offers in ensuring the safe and secure distribution of your products.
These efforts have been highlighted by our quest to have Responsible Distribution recognized at the state level. In 2015, we began making inroads by working with the Indiana General Assembly to introduce and pass Senate Resolution 8, a resolution directing Indiana’s Department of Environmental Management to develop guidance to allow chemical facilities verified as participants in Responsible Distribution to be recognized under the Environmental Stewardship Program.
This year, we're continuing to move forward with our state efforts. With our focus currently on Ohio, NACD has been working with State Senator Frank LeRose to introduce Senate Resolution 358 applauding the best practices programs of NACD and the Ohio EPA’s Encouraging Environmental Excellence (E3) program. We are very optimistic this resolution will be passed in the coming weeks.
In addition to the proposed legislation, NACD - working with Ohio EPA - has recently developed a streamlined process to have Responsible Distribution participants rolled into Ohio EPA’s E3 program. One of our members based in Ohio has already completed the brief application process, and we look forward to statewide recognition by Ohio EPA soon.
Aside from pursuing further state-level initiatives solely through state legislative bodies, we've begun building relationships with U.S. governors. Just today, NACD Chairman Mat Brainerd and NACD Sr. Director of Legislative Affairs Ben Traynham are in Oklahoma City meeting with Governor Mary Fallin. They are discussing the importance of chemical distribution in the chemical supply chain as well as gauging the governor’s interest on a similar effort in Oklahoma recognizing Responsible Distribution as going above and beyond the norm to protect the health, safety, and security of employees, communities, and the environment.
As the year unfolds, I will report back to members on the progress of our state advocacy efforts. It is imperative we engage at the state level to ensure our industry remains a vibrant economic driver while maintaining the highest levels of safety, security, and professionalism.