In April 2023, EPA published a report on the first survey conducted of the State Emergency Response Commissions. The purpose of the survey was to learn how the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act is currently implemented at the state and local levels, as required by the 1986 legislation, as well as its amendments of certain provisions in 2018.
State Emergency Response Commissions are responsible for implementing the EPCRA provisions in each state and territory. The agency conducted this survey to gather information on current practices, challenges, and gaps, including successes and best practices in implementing EPCRA. Additionally, the EPA asked the states to provide information on their local emergency planning committees and whether their planning districts have developed or updated response plans to address potential chemical accidents.
Note: The agency received responses from 50 states and two territories. A few states omitted responses to some of the questions; however, the report includes an analysis of responses to all 86 questions in the survey.
Under EPCRA Section 303, LEPCs are required to develop an emergency response plan for their community. The survey results show that: