Emergency Planning & Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)

Legislation establishing community safety standards designed to help local communities protect public health, safety, and the environment from chemical hazards. EPCRA (42 USC 11001 et seq.) is also known as Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act. The full suite of EPCRA regulations promulgated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is available at 40 CFR Parts 302 and 350-374.

Regulations Applicable to Energy Development

The entire suite of EPCRA regulations may be applicable to energy development activities. Specific sections that are likely to be relevant include the emergency planning and notification regulations and the hazardous chemicals and toxic chemicals release community right-to-know regulations.

• Emergency Planning and Notification (40 CFR 355)
  Establishes the list of extremely hazardous substances, threshold planning quantities, and emergency notification responsibilities
• Hazardous Chemical Reporting: Community Right-to-Know (40 CFR 370)
  Establishes reporting requirements providing the public with important information on the hazardous chemicals in their communities
• Toxic Chemical Release Reporting: Community Right-to-Know (40 CFR 372)
  Establishes reporting requirements for releases of toxic chemicals to inform the general public and the surrounding communities

Relevant Web Site(s)

• EPCRA Statute, Regulations, and Enforcement
  The EPA's Web site for EPCRA statute, regulations, and enforcement