The Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) is a product of federal
legislation passed in the wake of the Bhopal disaster in India, where
thousands of people died because of an accident involving hazardous
chemicals. To prevent similar occurrences in our communities, Congress
passed the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act
(EPCRA), also known as Title III of the Superfund Amendments and
Reauthorization Act (SARA), in 1986. EPCRA establishes requirements
for businesses and for federal, state, and local governments regarding
emergency planning and community right-to-know (CRTK) reporting for
hazardous chemicals. The CRTK provision in EPCRA helped increase
awareness about the presence of chemicals in their communities and
releases of these chemicals into the environment. Many State legislatures
also enacted CRTK laws that are consistent with federal law. As a result,
States and communities, working with industry, are better able to protect
public health and the environment.
The role of the LEPC is to form a partnership with local governments and
industries as a resource for enhancing hazardous materials
preparedness. Local governments are responsible for the integration of
hazmat planning and response within their jurisdiction. This includes
ensuring the local hazard analysis adequately addresses hazmat
incidents; incorporating planning for hazmat incidents into the local
emergency management plan and annexes; assessing capabilities and
developing hazmat response capability using local resources, mutual aid
and contractors; training responders; and exercising the plan.
It's necessary for industry to be a part of that planning process to ensure
facility plans are compatible with local emergency plans. Every regulated
facility is responsible for identifying a facility emergency coordinator;
reporting hazmat inventories annually to the LEPC, SERC, and local fire
department; providing material safety data sheets (MSDS) or a list of
hazardous chemicals; allowing local fire departments to conduct on-site
inspection of hazmat facilities; and providing annual report of toxic
chemicals released to EPA and the State. LEPCs are crucial to local
hazardous materials planning and community right-to-know programs.
The membership comes from the local area and should be familiar with
factors that affect safety, the environment, and the economy of the
community. That expertise is essential as the LEPC advises the writers of
the local emergency management plan, so that the plan is tailored to the
needs of the planning district. In addition to its formal duties, the LEPC
can serve as a focal point in the community for information and
discussion about hazardous substance emergency planning, and health
and environmental risks. Citizens may expect the LEPC to reply to
questions about chemical hazards and risk management actions.
