CHAS,

Each state administers its LEPCs, broad federal guidelines. I'm a member (since 2003) of the Marquette County [Michigan] LEPC and chair since 2017.

To get involved (meetings are public, just like the county board of supervisors, zoning commission, etc) contact your county government and show up at a meeting (from the public, as a visitor). You should not have to FOIA to get info, but providing good reason to get info should not be difficult. Don't be a pill, just listen, let the LEPC carry out the agenda, but "input" as warranted. Rarely does a visitor appear. (We've met by zoom since April 2020.)

In addition the categories of members, below, academics, labor union officials, MDs, and others may be members. Find out who is on your county LEPC and if you see a gap, ask to join, it's an appointed body, not elected. No compensation, maybe donuts once in a while or attend a state-sponsored conference/workshop. We participate in, but do not organize, table-top scenarios (e.g., power plant explodes, 100 ppl food poisoning at the county fair, terrorist at the airport or in the harbor, etc.)

We don't enforce anything, just review. (e.g., I verify the CAS #s on the action plans, in addition reviewing the maps, etc, but I defer to the first responders, state police, others for their expertise. If a spill, we review the clean-up.

We are supposed to meet 6x per year, but don't if no business. Typically 1 hr meetings, not time consuming. I get to sign a document every now and then, and I read everything I sign, but that can take another 30-60 min.

As previously mentioned, if a site (industrial, commercial, agricultural, etc) has above the threshold, they are required to report. If you don't know, look up Tier II and/or 302 reporting (SARA title III).

Here's a link to the site that Ralph cited 

https://www.epa.gov/epcra/local-emergency-planning-committees

I'd think many members of this group could add a lot to their LEPC. Get involved.

Joe Sabol

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From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU <mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU> > On Behalf Of Samuella SigmannSent: Friday, February 4, 2022 9:50 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU <mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] [External] [DCHAS-L] Chemical Safety headlines (10 articles)


On 2/4/2022 6:57 AM, Ralph Stuart wrote:

As for how and if people are supposed to know hazardous materials are stored near where they live, local elected leaders say their hands are tied.

The city can’t force a business to disclose what materials are on hand, and businesses aren’t required to disclose that information.

???? What am I not understanding????


Local Emergency Planning Committees


Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) must develop an emergency response plan, review the plan at least annually, and provide information about chemicals in the community to citizens. Plans are developed by LEPCs with
stakeholder participation. There is one LEPC for each of the more than 3,000 designated local emergency planning districts. The LEPC membership must include (at a minimum):
*        Elected state and local officials
*        Police, fire, civil defense, and public health professionals
*        Environment, transportation, and hospital officials
*        Facility representatives
*        Representatives from community groups and the media

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