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Related Topics:
  • Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)
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National LEPC-TEPC Handbook

EPA developed this national handbook as a resource for local and tribal emergency planning committees (LEPCs and TEPCs) to strengthen community preparedness for accidental chemical releases. It compiles and expands upon existing guidance materials for the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) and its amendments under the America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) of 2018. This resource will be particularly helpful for new members of tribal and local organizations responsible for implementing EPCRA and for communities that may deal with chemical accidents. 

The full handbook document and individual chapters are provided below. The handbook is organized in sections:

  • Preface
  • Part I: Statutory and Regulatory Requirements for Facilities, States, Tribes and Local Agencies
    • Part I contains statutory and regulatory requirements for facilities to comply with EPCRA, including statutory exemptions as well as EPA’s interpretations for certain scenarios and substances covered under these exemptions.  
  • Part II: Guidance and Resources for Implementing EPCRA
    • Part II contains suggestions and guidance for LEPCs and TEPCs to carry out the responsibilities established under EPCRA. 
  • Appendices
  • Technical Resources
Full Handbook

National LEPC-TEPC Handbook (Full Document) (pdf) (8.04 MB, January 2022, 550-K-22-001)

The handbook will be updated periodically if the statute or regulations are amended, including any new EPA policy or guidance for implementing EPCRA.

Preface

The Preface to the National LEPC-TEPC Handbook (pdf) (998.03 KB) contains:

  • Background
  • Organization
  • Abbreviations
  • History, Purpose, and Basic Requirements of EPCRA
  • Precursors to EPCRA
Part I: Statutory and Regulatory Requirements for Facilities, States, Tribes and Local Agencies
Chapter 1 –  EPCRA Section 301: Establishment of State Commissions, Planning Districts, and Local Committees (pdf) (328.61 KB)
Chapter 2 –  EPCRA Section 302: Emergency Planning Notification (pdf) (445.85 KB)
Chapter 3 –  EPCRA Section 303: Comprehensive Emergency Response Plans (pdf) (257.19 KB)
Chapter 4 –  EPCRA Section 304: Emergency Release Notification (pdf) (619.54 KB)
Chapter 5 –  EPCRA Sections 311 and 312: Hazardous Chemical Inventory Reporting (pdf) (943.7 KB)
Chapter 6 –  EPCRA Section 322: Trade Secrets (pdf) (278.92 KB)
Chapter 7 –  EPCRA Section 323: Provision of Information to Health Professionals, Doctors, and Nurses (pdf) (209.09 KB)
Chapter 8 –  EPCRA Section 324: Public Availability of Plan, Data Sheets, Forms, and Follow-up Notices (pdf) (182.79 KB)
Chapter 9 –  EPCRA Section 325: Enforcement (pdf) (120.67 KB)
Chapter 10 –  EPCRA Section 326: Civil Actions (pdf) (53.8 KB)
Chapter 11 –  Other EPA Regulations (pdf) (372.09 KB)
Summary of EPCRA Regulations and Stakeholder Responsibilities (pdf) (174.79 KB)
Part II: Guidance and Resources for Implementing EPCRA
Chapter 12 –  Organizational Structure of LEPCs and TEPCs (pdf) (367.51 KB)
Chapter 13 –  Duties of LEPCs and TEPCs (pdf) (217.57 KB)
Chapter 14 –  How to Maintain a Healthy and Active LEPC and TEPC Organization (pdf) (220.41 KB)
Chapter 15 –  EPCRA Program & Environmental Justice (pdf) (163.47 KB)
Chapter 16 –  Effective Planning for Chemical Emergencies (pdf) (270.04 KB)
Chapter 17 –  Tools and Resources for Planning and Response (pdf) (202.08 KB)
Chapter 18 –  Conducting a Hazard Analysis (pdf) (203.97 KB)
Chapter 19 –  Commodity Flow Study (pdf) (118.32 KB)
Chapter 20 –  Training Resources (pdf) (151.73 KB)
Chapter 21 –  Other Key Groups for Success of EPCRA (pdf) (132.01 KB)
Chapter 22 –  Funding and Grants (pdf) (54.42 KB)
Chapter 23 –  Local Governments Reimbursement (LGR) Program (pdf) (282.57 KB)
Chapter 24 –  National Incident Management System (NIMS) Compliance Requirements for LEPCs and TEPCs (pdf) (49.95 KB)
Chapter 25 –  Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) and Emergency Planning for LEPCs and TEPCs (pdf) (120.97 KB)
Chapter 26 –  Measuring Progress in Chemical Safety: A Guide for LEPCs and TEPCs (pdf) (112.54 KB)
Appendices
Appendix A –  Examples of LEPC (or TEPC) Membership (pdf) (34.59 KB)
Appendix B –  Sample Invitation Letter to Request Participation in an LEPC or TEPC Organization (pdf) (31.59 KB)
Appendix C –  Sample LEPC (or TEPC) Membership Update Form (pdf) (42.93 KB)
Appendix D –  Suggested Profile of the LEPC (or TEPC) (pdf) (160.75 KB)
Appendix E –  Sample LEPC By-Laws (pdf) (185.08 KB)
Appendix F –  Examples of LEPC Mission Statements (pdf) (117.16 KB)
Appendix G –  Holding an Effective LEPC (or TEPC) Meeting (pdf) (136.93 KB)
Appendix H –  Facility Questionnaire to Obtain Additional Information for Emergency Planning (pdf) (125.75 KB)
Appendix I –  Planning Principles and Perils: A Guide to Effective Planning (pdf) (166.51 KB)
Appendix J –  Sample Facility EPCRA Section 302 Planning Letter Submitted to SERC/TERC, LEPC/TEPC (pdf) (30.76 KB)
Appendix K –  Energize Your LEPC—Region 7 Newsletter (pdf) (189.68 KB)
Appendix L –  What to Do in a Chemical Emergency (pdf) (113.06 KB)
Appendix M –  Sample Public Notice or News Release (pdf) (38.32 KB)
Appendix N –  Emergency Planning Checklist for LEPCs and TEPCs (pdf) (168.71 KB)
Appendix O –  LEPC and TEPC Self-Evaluation Check (pdf) (137.36 KB)
Appendix P –  Sample Response Reimbursement Letter for Responsible Party (pdf) (96.59 KB)
Appendix Q –  Fact Sheet—Implementation of the Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) Program (pdf) (379.31 KB)
Appendix R –  Crosswalk of Statutes / CFR Regulations/ USC Citations (pdf) (44.02 KB)
Technical Resources
EPCRA Webpage
EPCRA Video: Protecting Communities from Chemical Accidents
How to Better Prepare Your Community for a Chemical Emergency: A Guide for State, Tribal and Local Agencies
Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention on Tribal Lands
EPCRA (Non-Section 313) Online Training for States, Tribes and LEPCs
EPCRA/RMP/Oil Call Center
National Association of SARA Title III Program Officials (NASTTPO) Webpage
Sample LEPC Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs)
U.S. Department of Transportation / Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Guidance for Conducting Hazardous Materials Flow Studies
Sample Commodity Flow Studies
SERC-TERC Monthly Newsletter
NRT-1: Hazardous Materials Planning Guide
NRT-1a: Criteria for Review of Hazardous Materials Emergency Plans
NRT-2: Developing a Hazardous Materials Exercise Program
Technical Guidance for Hazard Analysis
Risk Communication About Chemicals in Your Community
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on January 18, 2023
United States Environmental Protection Agency

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