Local Emergency Planning Committee
Fulfilling EPCRA & improving all hazards preparedness
The mission of the Schuylkill County Local Emergency Planning Committee(LEPC) is to protect and serve all the citizens of the County by promoting hazardous materials safety for all sectors of the community. The LEPC is a group of community representatives from the disciplines of business & industry, elected officials, emergency management & 911, emergency medical services & public health, environmental, faith-based & non-profit, fire & hazardous materials, law enforcement, municipal authority & government, media & public relations, planning, private citizen, school, colleges & universities, and volunteers.
Since the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) was passed in 1986, Communities have faced new concerns, issues and challenges including the emergencies such as the 2001 World Trade Center Bombing, 2005 Hurricane Katrina, 2006 June Floods in Mid-Atlantic, 2011 Tropical Storm Lee, 2012 Hurricane Sandy.
Faced with the changing dynamics of community preparedness, we have transitioned our LEPC toward an All-Hazards approach looking beyond hazardous materials and addressing all hazards that could threaten our communities. Our LEPC can provide a great forum for awareness and planning for all types of hazards because our membership represents a wide cross section of the community that would respond in a local emergency and improve preparedness through training and exercising of the all-hazard plans.
Tabs
Landmark Federal Hazardous Material Laws and Regulations
In the 1980s, Americans were becoming increasingly aware of the hazardous chemicals in their workplaces and communities. During that decade, several landmark laws and regulations were passed in favor of community and workplace right-to-know movements. Key legislation includes the following:
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, later known as the Superfund Act. For more information click this link for CERCLA .
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 CFR 1910.1200 – Hazard Communication. There have been recent revisions to the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) as it is now aligned with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). Follow this link to review the new HazComm information.
Superfund Amendment and Re-authorization Act (SARA) of 1986. Title III of SARA consists of the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA). For more information click this link for (EPCRA).
Pennsylvania Act 165
The Hazardous Material Emergency Planning and Response Act (Act 1990-165) was enacted December 7, 1990, and became effective 60 days thereafter. This legislation, hereafter to be referred to as Act 165, established several fees which were to terminate 10 years after the effective date of the Act unless reestablished by the General Assembly by statute. Pursuant thereto an amendment was enacted December 20, 2000, and became effective February 18, 2001 to re-establish the fees. This amendment also made minor revisions to the Act, the most significant being reduction of the time frame in which chemical facilities are required to report the presence of hazardous chemicals on site from within 30 days after receipt, as required by federal statute, to five business days as required by Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Hazardous Materials Emergency Planning and Response Act formalized compliance with the federal Superfund Amendment and Re-authorization Act (SARA, Title III) which mandates the establishment of a chemical safety program to include planning for possible spills and releases of hazardous chemicals, and for making available information regarding potential hazards to those who may be affected.
Act 165 Hazardous Materials Emergency Planning and Response Act
History
The Schuylkill County Board of Commissioners officially appointed the first members of the Schuylkill County LEPC on April 10, 1991.
Membership & Organization
LEPC members are from within the community and play a crucial role in local planning and right-to-know programs. Among other things they are familiar with factors that affect public safety, the environment, and the local economy.
Schuylkill County LEPC Membership 2020
The Committee is established with a Chair and Vice-Chair and organized by the sub-committees based off of special projects. All meetings shall be open to the general public and scheduled on a quarterly basis.
Sub-Committees are established based off special projects of the LEPC. Sub-Committee meetings are scheduled on as needed basis.
Role in the Community
Traditionally the role of the LEPC consists of partnering with state and local governments, businesses, and emergency services to enhance the following with regard to hazardous materials: Prevention, Preparedness, Response and recovery, Planning, & Exercising and training
LEPC’s give communities access to key information about hazardous substances. Companies are required to submit this information if they exceed designated reporting quantities. LEPC’s also work with companies to develop comprehensive emergency response plans.
LEPC Meetings are held on a quarterly basis at the following location(Unless Otherwise Noted):
Schuylkill County Office of Public Safety Building
435 North Centre Street
Pottsville, PA 17901
570-622-3739
2021 Meeting Dates
March 11, June 10, September 9, and December 9 at 11:30 AM
For 2021 Meetings are held virtually due to COVID-19 guidelines.
Sub-committee meetings are called by the committee chair on an as needed basis and may be conducted in a conference call or web based meeting format to accommodate the varied schedule of the volunteer members.