Regulatory and Guidance Information by Topic: Emergency Management
EPA's emergency management activities and regulations help protect the environment and human health from releases or discharges of oil, chemicals and other hazardous substances.
Risk Management Plans (RMP)
The Clean Air Act 112(r) program is both a statutory and regulatory program designed to prevent chemical accidents and releases through a program of preparedness, response and prevention.
Laws and Regulations
Compliance
- Clean Air Act (CAA) Compliance Monitoring: information about inspections, evaluations and investigations for chemical accident prevention.
Policy and Guidance
- Risk Management Plan (RMP) Rule Guidance: also includes related policies and answers to frequently asked questions.
Chemical Reporting
According to Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) chemical reporting requirements, facilities must report the storage, use, and release of certain hazardous chemicals.
Find more information under Toxics Release Inventory.
Laws and Regulations
- EPCRA Tier I & II Reporting: including information about trade secrets and local/state emergency planning committees.
Compliance
- EPCRA Compliance Assistance: compliance tools.
Policy and Guidance
Oil Spills and Hazardous Substance Releases
EPA seeks to prevent, prepare for and respond to oil spills that occur in and around inland waters of the United States. EPA is the lead federal response agency for oil spills occurring in inland waters. The US Coast Guard is the lead response agency for spills in coastal waters and deepwater ports.
Laws and Regulations
- Discharge of Oil Regulation Overview: also known as the “sheen rule.”
- Facility Response Plan (FRP) Rule
- National Contingency Plan Subpart J: provides for a schedule of spill mitigating devices and substances that may be authorized for use on oil discharges.
- Summary of the Oil Pollution Act
- Reporting Requirements – Oil Spills and Hazardous Substance Releases
- Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Rule
- Rulemaking on Preventing Hazardous Substance Spills
Compliance
- Oil Spill Prevention Compliance Monitoring: under the Clean Water Act Section 311, EPA regulates oil storage that meets a specific regulatory threshold.
Policy and Guidance
Major Environmental Laws
Frequent Questions
- How do I report a violation of environmental regulations or an environmental emergency?
- How do the Clean Air Act (CAA) risk management program requirements differ from the hazardous chemical reporting requirements under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)?
- What chemicals are subject to reporting under EPCRA Section 304?