Gentner Drummond Warns EPA Database Creates Security Risks
- mike33692
- May 13
- 2 min read
Gentner Drummond Warns EPA Database Creates Security Risks
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond is leading a coalition of 18 Republican attorneys general urging the Environmental Protection Agency to either eliminate or significantly secure a proposed public chemical facility database.
The coalition argues the proposed EPA database could create serious cybersecurity risks and national security concerns by exposing sensitive information about chemical plants and industrial facilities across the country.
According to the EPA Risk Management Program, the proposed database is tied to ongoing federal rule changes involving chemical accident prevention and public transparency requirements.
The dispute centers around the EPA’s proposed updates connected to the federal Risk Management Program under the Clean Air Act.
Gentner Drummond Raises Cybersecurity Risks Concerns
The coalition led by Gentner Drummond says the proposed database would publicly expose highly sensitive operational details involving chemical facilities.
According to the attorneys general, the online database could include detailed chemical inventories, physical facility layouts, and toxic release impact maps.
The coalition warns the information could potentially be exploited during cyberattacks or targeted infrastructure attacks.
Officials argue publicly accessible toxic cloud maps and facility blueprints create unnecessary cybersecurity risks for industrial facilities, refineries, and nearby communities.
The coalition specifically urged the EPA to coordinate directly with the Department of Homeland Security and federal cybersecurity officials before launching the database.
Coalition Requests EPA Security Changes
The letter organized by Gentner Drummond outlines several specific recommendations for the EPA.
The coalition requested a full pre-launch cybersecurity audit of the database system before public release.
Attorneys general also asked the EPA to anonymize or remove highly detailed location information that could identify specific chemical facilities.
The coalition further requested a legal appeal process allowing individual companies to challenge disclosures they believe create security threats.
According to the Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity Guidance, stronger security barriers are necessary before sensitive industrial information becomes publicly accessible online.
EPA Rule Changes Spark National Debate
The broader debate involving Gentner Drummond is tied to the EPA’s proposed 2026 revisions to federal chemical accident prevention rules.
The Trump administration’s EPA previously proposed scaling back portions of the Biden-era “Safer Communities by Chemical Accident Prevention” regulations.
Republican-led states have argued previous rules placed costly burdens on energy, oil, gas, and chemical industries.
At the same time, several Democratic-led states and environmental groups continue supporting stronger public transparency requirements surrounding chemical facility safety.
According to the official Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office, the coalition letter signed alongside Gentner Drummond included attorneys general from 18 states, including Texas, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Ohio, Utah, and West Virginia.
Comments