Washington — Hurricanes and excessive winds could “significantly impact” the U.S. bulk-power system and result in the discharge of hazardous chemical compounds if amenities lose power, the Chemical Safety Board says.

Board members are urging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to revise a latest closing rule that covers transmission system planning efficiency necessities for excessive climate for the bulk-power system.

In a letter dated July 13, CSB urges FERC to handle hurricanes and excessive winds “in a future rulemaking as soon as possible.” Published on June 23 and set to enter impact Sept. 21, the FERC and Department of Energy closing rule doesn’t deal with excessive climate occasions aside from warmth and chilly, the letter contends, “although stakeholders had urged” the businesses to think about different excessive climate.

“Because bulk-power system reliability directly impacts chemical process safety (and the safety of people who work at chemical facilities and who live in the communities nearby), we would like to talk with you about FERC addressing hurricanes and other such extreme weather events in a future rulemaking,” the letter states.

The letter is signed by CSB Chair Steve Owens and copies CSB members Sylvia Johnson and Catherine J.Okay. Sandoval, in addition to Steve Klejst, the company’s government director of investigations and proposals.

CSB says “serious chemical releases that resulted from, or were made worse by, loss of power during hurricanes” occurred throughout Hurricane Harvey (August 2017) and Hurricane Laura (August 2020).