Source: http://www.hhs.gov/hhsmanuals/read/gam/part30/306000.html
Timestamp: 2014-04-18 11:42:39
Document Index: 249666173

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 30', 'art 355', 'art 355', 'art 355', 'art 355', 'art 355', 'art 300', 'art 302']

HHS GAM Part 30-60 -- Environmental Protection
SUBJECT: Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA) Requirements
30-60-00-- Background
30-60-05-- Applicability
30-60-10-- Responsibilities
30-60-20-- Emergency Planning
30-60-30-- Notification of Release of Extremely Hazardous Substance
30-60-40-- Material Safety Data Sheet Reporting
30-60-50-- Emergency and Hazardous Chemical Inventory Reporting
30-50-60-- Treatment of Mixtures in MSDS and Inventory Reporting
30-60-70-- Toxic Chemical Release Inventory Reporting
30-60-80-- Public Availability of Information; Withholding and Disclosure of Trade Secrets
30-60-90-- Compliance
30-60-100-- Civil and Criminal Penalties
30-60-00 -- Background
EPCRA's provisions form two primary programs: (1) emergency planning, and (2) community right-to-know. EPCRA establishes a mechanism for providing the public with important information on the hazardous and toxic chemicals in their communities, and it creates emergency planning and notification requirements to protect the public in the event of a release of extremely hazardous substances. The law requires local communities to prepare plans for dealing with emergencies relating to the release of extremely hazardous substances from facilities within those communities. EPCRA also provides the public and local and state governments with the right to obtain information concerning the types, amount, location, storage, use, disposition, and possible health effects from the release of hazardous and extremely hazardous substances from facilities that are in their communities.
Facilities that are subject to EPCRA are required to provide information and reports to EPA and state and local groups. Five distinct reporting requirements are contained in EPCRA:
Emergency planning (30-60-20);
Notification of release (30-60-30);
Material safety data sheet submission (30-60-40);
Emergency and hazardous chemical inventory reporting (30-60-50), and
Toxic chemical release reports (30-60-70).
Each of these reporting requirements and other facility responsibilities are described in the following sections.
30-60-05 -- Applicability
Executive Order 12856. EPCRA applies to "persons". The term "person" is defined in the act to include individuals, partnerships, corporations, states, and municipalities. The definition does not cover most United States government agencies. EPCRA is made applicable to federal agencies by Executive Order 12856. E.O. 12856 incorporates by reference all definitions found in EPCRA and EPA implementing regulations, except that it modifies the term "person" to include Federal executive agencies as defined in 5 U.S.C. ' 105 (1988). Executive agencies are Executive Departments, government corporations, and independent establishments of the United States. HHS is an Executive Department and is subject to EPCRA because of Executive Order 12856.
Agency Facilities. Executive Order 12856 provides that EPCRA applies to all Federal executive agencies that either own or operate a "facility" as that term is defined in EPCRA, if such facility meets the statute's threshold requirements for compliance. The statutory definition of facility is:
all buildings, equipment, structures, and other stationary items which are located on a single site or on contiguous or adjacent sites and which are owned or operated by the same person (or by any person which controls, is controlled by, or under common control with, such person). For purposes of [emergency release notification], the term includes motor vehicles, rolling stock, and aircraft (42 U.S.C. ' 11049(4)).
Covered Facilities. Each Federal agency must apply all of the provisions of Executive Order 12856 to each of its covered facilities, including those facilities which are subject, independent of the Executive order, to the provisions of EPCRA (e.g., certain Government-owned/contractor-operated facilities (GOCO's), for chemicals meeting EPCRA thresholds). Executive Order 12856 does not apply to Federal agency facilities outside the customs territory of the United States, such as United States diplomatic and consular missions abroad. EPA may be consulted to determine the applicability of Executive Order 12586 to particular OPDIV/STAFFDIV facilities.
Preliminary List of Covered Facilities. The Secretary was required by Executive Order 12856 to provide the EPA Administrator by December 31, 1993, with a preliminary list of facilities that potentially meet the requirements for reporting under the threshold provisions of EPCRA.
30-60-10 -- Responsibilities
HHS. Executive Order 12856 makes the Secretary responsible for ensuring HHS compliance with emergency planning and community right-to-know provisions established pursuant to all implementing regulations issued pursuant to EPCRA. The Order requires Federal agencies to report in a public manner toxic chemicals entering any waste stream from their facilities, including any releases to the environment, and to improve local emergency planning, response, and accident notification. The objective of Executive Order 12856 is to make the Federal Government a good neighbor to local communities by becoming a leader in providing information to the public concerning toxic and hazardous chemicals and extremely hazardous substances at Federal facilities, and in planning for and preventing harm to the public through the planned or unplanned releases of chemicals.
OPDIVs/STAFFDIVs. The head of each OPDIV/STAFFDIV is responsible for compliance with the provisions of EPCRA as described in this chapter and Executive Order 12856. An OPDIV/STAFFDIV must comply with provisions set forth in sections 301 through 312 of EPCRA, all implementing regulations, and future amendments to these authorities, in light of any applicable guidance as provided by EPA. Dates for compliance with individual sections of EPCRA vary and are set forth in the appropriate sections below. Executive Order 12856 provides that the compliance dates are not intended to delay implementation of earlier timetables already agreed to by Federal agencies and are inapplicable to the extent they interfere with those timetables. Compliance with EPCRA means compliance with the same substantive, procedural, and other statutory and regulatory requirements that would apply to a private person.
Agency Contractors. Executive Order 12856 requires each Federal agency to provide, in all appropriate future contracts, for the contractor to supply all information the Federal agency deems necessary for it to comply with the order. To the extent that compliance with the Executive Order is made more difficult due to lack of information from existing contractors, OPDIVs/STAFFDIVs must take practical steps to obtain the information needed to comply with the Executive Order from such contractors. Nothing in Executive Order 12856 alters the obligations which GOCO's and Government corporation facilities have under EPCRA independent of the Executive Order or subjects such facilities to EPCRA if they are otherwise excluded. However, each OPDIV/STAFFDIV shall include the releases and transfers from all such facilities when meeting all of the organization's responsibilities under Executive Order 12856.
30-60-20 -- Emergency Planning (EPCRA 301-30; 42 U.S.C. 11001-30)
Basic Requirement. Facilities that are covered by EPCRA must notify the State emergency response commission that they are subject to the Act's emergency planning provisions. A local emergency planning committee, comprised of state and local officials, community organizations, and facility representatives, must prepare an emergency plan for responding to the release of extremely hazardous substances in the local community. A covered facility must provide any information that is necessary for developing the local emergency plan. The facility must also notify the local committee of relevant changes at the facility that may affect the emergency plan and designate an emergency planning coordinator who will participate in the emergency planning process. EPA regulations governing emergency planning and notification under EPCRA are contained in 40 CFR Part 355.
Applicability of Requirement. A facility is subject to the EPCRA emergency planning requirements if an amount of any extremely hazardous substance equal to or in excess of the threshold planning quantity (TPQ) established for that substance is present at the facility. An "amount of any extremely hazardous substance" means the total amount of an extremely hazardous substance present at any one time at a facility at concentrations greater than one percent by weight, regardless of location, number of containers, or method of storage.
E.O. 12856 makes the EPCRA emergency planning requirements in Sections 302 and 303 of the Act applicable to Federal agencies. A Governor or a State commission may designate additional facilities in the State which shall be subject to the EPCRA emergency planning requirements. The authority of a Governor or a State commission to designate additional facilities does not extend to Federal executive agencies (except government corporations).
Extremely Hazardous Substances and Threshold Planning Quantities. An "extremely hazardous substance" is defined in EPA regulations to mean a substance that is listed in Appendices A (in alphabetical order) and B (by CAS number) of 40 CFR Part 355. The Appendices contain tables which indicate the threshold planning quantity (TPQ) for each extremely hazardous substance.
EPCRA authorizes EPA to modify the list and TPQ of extremely hazardous substances from time to time based on the toxicity, reactivity, volatility, dispersability, combustibility, and flammability of a substance. Because extremely hazardous substances are periodically removed or added to the list, and threshold quantities may be revised, facilities must be sure that the list of extremely hazardous substances they consult is current. EPA regulations in 40 CFR ' 355.30(e) (1992) set forth the rules and techniques for calculating the TPQ of extremely hazardous substances that are solids or present in mixtures, solutions, and molten materials.
State and Local Planning Groups. EPCRA requires the Governor of each State or Chief Executive Officer of an Indian Tribe to appoint an Emergency Response Commission ("commission"). The commission must designate emergency planning districts in order to facilitate preparation and implementation of an emergency plan. The commission must also appoint local emergency planning committees ("committee") in each emergency planning district and supervise and coordinate the activities of such committees.
Local committees include, at a minimum, representatives from each of the following groups or organizations: elected State and local officials; law enforcement, civil defense, firefighting, first aid, health, local environmental, hospital, and transportation personnel; broadcast and print media; community groups; and owners and operators of facilities subject to EPCRA.
Local Emergency Plan. Each local emergency planning committee was to have completed preparation of a local emergency plan not later than October 17, 1988. The committee must review such plan once a year, or more frequently as changed circumstances in the community or at any facility may require. The rules of the committee must include provisions for public notification of committee activities, public meetings to discuss the emergency plan developed by the committee, public comments on the emergency plan and response to such comments by the committee, and distribution of the emergency plan. EPCRA requires that each local emergency plan prepared by a local committee shall include (but is not limited to) each of the following:
Identification of facilities subject to the EPCRA's requirements that are within the emergency planning district, identification of routes likely to be used for the transportation of substances on the list of extremely hazardous substances, and identification of additional facilities contributing or subjected to additional risk due to their proximity to facilities subject to EPCRA requirements, such as hospitals or natural gas facilities;
Methods and procedures to be followed by facility owners and operators and local emergency and medical personnel to respond to any release of such substances;
Procedures providing reliable, effective, and timely notification by the facility emergency coordinators and the community emergency coordinator to persons designated in the emergency plan, and to the public, that a release has occurred (consistent with the emergency notification requirements of EPCRA Section 11004);
Methods for determining the occurrence of a release, and the area or population likely to be affected by such release;
A description of emergency equipment and facilities in the community and at each facility in the community subject to EPCRA requirements, and an identification of the persons responsible for such equipment and facilities;
Evacuation plans, including provisions for a precautionary evacuation and alternative traffic routes;
Training programs, including schedules for training of local emergency response and medical personnel; and
Review of Emergency Plans. After completion of an emergency plan for an emergency planning district, the local emergency planning committee must submit a copy of the plan to the State emergency response commission of each State in which such district is located. The commission must review the plan and make recommendations to the committee on revisions of the plan that may be necessary to ensure coordination of such plan with emergency response plans of other emergency planning districts.
Regional response teams, as established pursuant to CERCLA's National Contingency Plan (42 U.S. C. ' 9605), may review and comment upon an emergency plan or other issues related to preparation, implementation, or exercise of such a plan upon request of a local emergency planning committee. Such review may not delay implementation of the plan. The national response team must publish guidance documents for preparation and implementation of emergency plans.
Emergency Planning Notification. Each covered facility shall notify the commission for the state in which the facility is located that the facility is subject to EPCRA emergency planning requirements.
Thereafter, if a substance on the list of extremely hazardous substances first becomes present at the facility in excess of the TPQ established for such substance, or if there is a revision of the list of extremely hazardous substances and the facility has present a substance on the revised list in excess of the TPQ established for such substance, the covered facility shall notify the state emergency response commission and the local emergency planning committee within 60 days after such acquisition or revision that the facility is subject to the EPCRA emergency planning requirements. (EPCRA, ' 302(c)).
Provision of Information and Technical Assistance.
Provision of Information. Upon request of the local committee, the facility must promptly provide to the committee any information necessary for development or implementation of the local emergency plan. Executive Order 12856 provides that all information necessary for the applicable local committee to prepare or revise the local emergency plan must also be provided. A covered facility shall inform the local emergency planning committee of any changes occurring at the facility which may be relevant to emergency planning.
EPCRA section 322 (42 U.S.C. ' 11042) provides for the withholding of certain trade secret information, provided the claim of trade secrecy is substantiated in accordance with EPA regulations. Withholding and disclosure of trade secret information is discussed in section 30-60-80.
Technical Assistance. OPDIVs/STAFFDIVs, to the extent practicable, shall provide technical assistance, if requested, to local emergency planning committees in the development of emergency plans and in fulfillment of their community right-to-know and risk reduction responsibilities.
30-60-30 -- Notification of Release of Extremely Hazardous Substance (EPCRA 304; 42 U.S.C. 11004)
Basic Requirement. A facility must immediately notify the local committee for any area likely to be affected, and the commission of any state likely to be affected, of off-site spills or any releases from the facility of a "reportable quantity" (RQ) of an EPCRA "extremely hazardous substance" or a CERCLA "hazardous substance". The initial report must be made by such means as telephone, radio, or in person. A follow-up written report must be furnished to the committee and commission. EPA regulations governing notification of release of an extremely hazardous substance are contained in 40 CFR Part 355.
Applicability. The EPCRA emergency release notification requirements apply to any facility:
at which a hazardous chemical is produced, used, or stored; and
at which there is release of a reportable quantity of any extremely hazardous substance or CERCLA hazardous substance.
Executive Order 12856 provides that the release notification requirements in EPCRA section 304 (42 U.S.C. ' 11004) shall be effective beginning January 1, 1994.
OPDIVs/STAFFDIVs should be aware that the release notification requirements of EPCRA section 304 covers more facilities than the emergency planning requirements of EPCRA sections 301-303. An OPDIV/STAFFDIV facility must notify the local emergency planning committee of a release under section 304 even if a section 302(b) "threshold planning quantity" of a substance is not present. Furthermore, section 304 is the only section of EPCRA that applies to Atransportation facilities."
Reportable Quantities. EPA regulations in 40 CFR Part 355 establish the list of extremely hazardous substances, threshold planning quantities, and facility notification responsibilities necessary for the development and implementation of state and local emergency response plans. The reportable quantities for extremely hazardous substances are set out in 40 CFR Part 355, Appendices A (alphabetical order) and B (by CAS number).
CERCLA Release Reporting. The EPCRA notification of release requirements are in addition to the release reporting requirements imposed by CERCLA section 103 (42 U.S.C. ' 9603). Under CERCLA section 103(a), the person in charge of a vessel or facility from which a hazardous substance has been released in a quantity that equals or exceeds its reportable quantity must immediately notify the National Response Center of the release. The purpose of the CERCLA notification requirement is to inform the government of a release so that Federal personnel can evaluate the need for a Federal removal or remedial action and undertake any necessary action in a timely manner. Under section 104 of CERCLA, the Federal government may respond whenever there is a release or substantial threat of a release of a hazardous substance into the environment. Response activities are to be taken, to the extent practicable, in accordance with the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (40 CFR Part 300).
Releases of CERCLA hazardous substances are subject to the release reporting requirements that are codified at 40 CFR Part 302. The list of CERCLA hazardous substances and their reportable quantities is found at 40 CFR ' 302.4. The National Response Center telephone number for release reporting is (800) 424-8802.
Note: Currently, only releases of those extremely hazardous substances that are also CERCLA hazardous substances are required to be reported to the National Response Center under CERCLA section 103. Discrepancies exist between the substances on the list of EPCRA extremely hazardous substances and those on the list of CERCLA hazardous substances. Moreover, the reportable quantity of the same substance may differ between lists. EPA has published a proposed rule to designate 226 non-CERCLA extremely hazardous substances as CERCLA hazardous substances (54 FR 3388 (1989). The purpose of the proposed rule is to eliminate potential confusion concerning the different EPCRA (notification to state and local officials only) and CERCLA (notification to the National Response Center in addition to notification to state and local officials) requirements. EPA has also published a proposed rule to adjust the reportable quantities for 225 substances on the EPCRA extremely hazardous substances list, which EPA has proposed for designation as CERCLA hazardous substances, and 19 substances that are CERCLA hazardous substances (54 FR 35988 (1989)).
Comparison of EPCRA and CERCLA Release Reporting Requirements. Table 1 indicates the differences in reporting a release of a reportable quantity of a CERCLA hazardous substance or an EPCRA extremely hazardous substance.
Note: A petroleum release that contains a reportable quantity of an extremely hazardous substance as a constituent is exempt under CERCLA but not under EPCRA section 304. The petroleum exclusion under CERCL