What is an LEPC?

On October 16, 1986 the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) was signed into law. Title III of this act is also known as the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA). This Act was to empower citizens and emergency responders with the Right to Know what chemicals exist in communities where they live and work. It mandated planning for chemical emergencies and established a chain of command to assure that the requirements are met. The LEPC had to have representatives from specific areas that would have knowledge and interests in environmental emergency planning, i.e.; EMS, hospitals, fire, law enforcement, elected officials, industry, public works, media, community groups, etc.

What does an LEPC do?

Under EPCRA, an LEPC is the focal point for chemical emergency response planning and implementation in a community. The LEPC's key responsibilities are:

• Assisting local governments in developing hazardous materials emergency response plans.
• Evaluating the community's need for resources to respond to hazardous materials emergencies.
• Processing requests from the public for information on hazardous chemicals in their communities.