Colorado Emergency Planning Commission (CEPC)
In October 1986, the Federal Superfund and Reauthorization Act (SARA/Title III) that includes the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know provisions was enacted. This legislation was in response to several very severe hazardous materials incidents world-wide. It put in place several protection measures regarding hazardous materials incidents.
The legislation required that each state appoint a State Emergency Response Commission to implement the act in their state. In Colorado, the Colorado Emergency Planning Commission (CEPC) was created. It is made up of the following statutorily required members representing the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment - Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division, the Department of Local Affairs - Colorado Division of Emergency Management and the Division of Local Government, the Department of Public Safety - Fire Safety Division, and the Colorado State Patrol. These representatives are permanent members of the CEPC. The balance of the CEPC is made up of representatives appointed by the Governor and serving a two (2) year term from the following areas: Two (2) from affected industries, two (2) from local governments and one (2) from the public interest or community groups, and one (1) from the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) community.
The CEPC implemented the act by designating Local Emergency Planning Districts (LEPD) and then requesting nominations from those districts for appointing Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPC). Each LEPC has the charter of implementing the SARA/Title III requirements for their LEPD. These requirements include developing and publishing a hazardous material emergency response plan for their area, the creation of Right-To-Know procedure for their LEPD and monitoring of specific yearly hazardous materials reporting requirements.
The CEPC conducts several various activities such as an Annual LEPC Conference, training programs and grant programs. For more information on any of these programs please contact your LEPC chair. If you do not know who you LEPC chair is, please contact Jack Cobb at (720) 852-6603.
The CEPC meets monthly on the first Thursday of every month at the Division of Emergency Management, 9195 East Mineral Avenue, Suite 200, Centennial, Colorado 80112 at 9:30 am. These meetings are open to the public and all LEPC members, local government representatives, and interested citizens are invited and encouraged to attend. For more information or questions, please contact Jack Cobb at (720) 852-6603.
Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) grant program application
Application Deadline October 30, 2008