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Public Safety 
Latest News and
Updates
Local Governments Reimbursement Program
In the event of a release (or threatened release) of hazardous substances, EPA may reimburse local governments for expenses related to the release and associated emergency response measures. The Local Governments Reimbursement (LGR) Program provides a "safety net" of up to $25,000 per incident to local governments that do not have funds available to pay for response actions.
For more information.
Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Rule Overview
On November 5, 2009, the EPA Administrator signed a notice amending certain requirements of the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule in order to address additional areas of regulatory reform that have been raised by the regulated community. The November 2009 amendments revise the December 2008 amendments as a result of EPA's review of comments and consideration of all relevant facts. EPA is either taking no action or providing minor technical corrections on the majority of the December 2008 provisions.
EPA published a "Final Rule to Amend Compliance Dates for SPCC Rule" in January 2009.
This was withdrawn from the Federal Register in accordance with the "Regulatory Review" White House memorandum and never promulgated. On June 19, 2009, the compliance date extension for all facilities (including farms) until November 10, 2010 was published. In the November 2009 final action, EPA committed to proposing an additional extension of compliance date.
For more information:
- 2008 SPCC rule amendment Federal Register notice (73 FR 74236; December 5, 2008)
- Complete Oil Pollution Prevention regulation (40 CFR part 112)
- EPA Emergency Management Web Site
- Superfund, TRI, EPCRA, RMP, and Oil Information Center
- (800) 424-9346 or (703) 412-9810
- TDD (800) 553-7672 or (703) 412-3323r
There is additional help available for facilities that must prepare, or amend and implement Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) Plans to address the potential for a discharge of oil Learn if the rule applies to your facility and the latest requirements with the guide called "A Facility Owner/Operator’s Guide to Pollution Prevention" that can be found at http://www.epa.gov/emergencies/docs/oil/spcc/spccbluebroch2002.pdf.
See more SPCC guidance, fact sheets, and policy on SPCC at http://www.epa.gov/emergencies/guidance.htm#spcc.
View an archived webinar at http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/osc9_120909/.
Reporting Spills, Emergencies
To report:
- Oil and/or chemical spills,
- Radiation emergencies, and
- Biological discharges
Call National Response Center at 800-424-8802
Nationwide
Survey of Local Emergency Planning Committees (PDF) (47
pp, 9.9 MB, About PDF).
This report summarizes the results of the April 2008 survey.
Issue Summary
Each year, more than 20,000 emergencies involving the release (or
threatened release) of oil and hazardous substances are reported in the United
States, potentially affecting both communities and the surrounding natural
environment.
Local governments have the responsibility to protect their
community's health, safety, and welfare from events such as these by managing:
- First
response (e.g., fire, police, emergency medical, and search and rescue)
- Public
works (e.g. debris removal)
- Infrastructure
(e.g., water, sewer, transportation, energy)
- Code
inspection and enforcement
- Finances
- Public
communications and others.
These responsibilities
include preparedness, response, and recovery to everyday incidents and catastrophic
events that are natural disasters or human caused. As a part of their
responsibility, local governments must ensure steps are taken to
prevent and respond to oil spills, chemical accidents, and other environmental
emergencies.
Resources
EPA
Where You Live
Emergency management activities are coordinated between local organizations (including local fire departments), the ten EPA regional offices, and EPA headquarters in Washington, D.C. See the link above to learn about emergency management and responses in your region.
EPA programs help ensure that
facilities and organizations take steps to prevent oil spills, chemical
accidents, and other emergencies, implement planning and preparedness
requirements, and respond to environmental emergencies.
EPA offers national-level
support for emergency management. State, local, and tribal governments, along
with other federal agencies, play a critical role in preventing, preparing for,
and responding to emergencies of all kinds.
Learn how EPA conducts environmental
responses and cleanups and how you can help prepare for environmental
emergencies.
Emergency Planning and
Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) Requirements
These requirements help communities prepare for and respond to chemical
accidents by requiring facilities to report chemical storage and release
information and communities to develop emergency response plans.
Other Federal Departments and Agencies
Inter-Agency
Teams
Inter-agency teams, including the National Response Team and Regional Response
Teams, conduct preparedness and response activities and provide other support.
National
Response Center
The National Response Center (NRC) is the federal government's national
communications center, which is staffed 24 hours a day by U.S. Coast Guard
officers and marine science technicians.
National
Response System
EPA functions within a larger federal structure when it responds to emergencies
and nationally significant incidents.
Key
Federal Agencies
The U.S. Coast Guard, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and other
federal agencies provide support during environmental emergencies.
Special
Teams
Several EPA Special Teams, including the Environmental Response Team,
Radiological Response Team, and National Decontamination Team, provide
specialized emergency response support.
U.S.
Border Programs and International Partnerships
International programs help to prepare for and prevent environmental
emergencies along the northern and southern borders of the United States and
around the world.
States/Other
Operation Fresh Start
Operation Fresh Start is designed to empower individuals and communities as they recover from hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and other natural disasters by providing resources and tools that can help rebuild communities, businesses, and homes using sustainable principles and technologies. Use the links located on the left to explore the many valuable resources available on their Web site.
State
Emergency Response Commissions (SERCs)
SERCs oversee the implementation of the Emergency Planning and Community
Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) requirements in each state.
Find State Emergency
Management Agency Web Sites
Local
Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs)
LEPCs work to understand chemical hazards in the community, develop emergency
plans in case of an accidental release, and look for ways to prevent chemical
accidents. LEPCs are made up of emergency management agencies, responders,
industry and the public.
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