The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) was signed into federal law in 1986. Title III of SARA is known as the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) enforces SARA Title III. The regulations implementing SARA Title III are codified in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Parts 350 through 372. The Governor of each State was charged with creating a State Emergency Response Commission.
In 1987 Executive Order Number 4 created the Alabama Emergency Response Commission (AERC) by appointing the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) and the Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) acting in concert to carry out the provisions of the Act. As co-chair to the Commission, ADEM is responsible for reviewing, maintaining, and serving as the data repository for documents required to be filed by various industry throughout the state. These documents include Hazardous Chemical Inventory forms (Tier II), Toxics Release Inventory (Form R), Extremely Hazardous Substance Notifications (EHS), and release notifications. Data from these documents are compiled and made available by request to the public, industry, and Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) for use in emergency situations, to analyze release trends, and to facilitate awareness of hazardous materials in communities.
Alabama Emergency Response Commission (AERC) Contact Information:
- SARA Title III Coordinator: Beth Donaldson / beth.donaldson@adem.alabama.gov / 334-394-4306
- ADEM Emergency Response Coordinator / RRT Representative: Grady Springer / gspringer@adem.alabama.gov / 334-260-2717
- ADEM's ER Webpage: http://adem.alabama.gov/MoreInfo/emergencyResponse.cnt
- AEMA AERC/LEPC Representative: Caleb Williams / caleb.williams@ema.alabama.gov / 205-280-2244
- Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) https://ema.alabama.gov
- Training and Events Registration Page: http://alabama-emergency-response-commission.eventbrite.com
Industry Highlights - EPCRA Updates
December 2017 Newsletter
December 2018 Newsletter
January 2020 Newsletter
November 2020 Newsletter
December 2021 Newsletter
December 2022 Newsletter
December 2023 Newsletter
December 2024 Newsletter
Federal EPCRA/CERCLA Updates:
- EPA Fact Sheet for EPCRA Reporting Requirements for Fertilizer Retailers:
https://www.epa.gov/epcra/epcra-fact-sheets - CSB Guidance on the Accidental Release Reporting Rule:
https://www.csb.gov/csb-provides-guidance-on-reporting-rule/ - RMP Safer Communities by Chemical Accident Prevention Proposed Rule:
https://www.epa.gov/rmp/risk-management-program-safer-communities-chemical-accident-prevention-proposed-rule/ - EPA amends 40 CFR Part 372 to add Natural Gas Processing Facilities to the Toxics Release Inventory: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2021-11-24/pdf/2021-25646.pdf
- EPA Guide to the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act:
https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2020-10/documents/guide_to_epcra.pdf - Amendment to EPCRA- America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA):
https://www.epa.gov/epcra/amendments-epcra-americas-water-infrastructure-act - TRI Regulations Proposed Rule: https://www.epa.gov/toxics-release-inventory-tri-program/corrections-tri-regulations-proposed-rule
Extremely Hazardous Substance (EHS) Notification - One-Time Notification to the AERC and LEPC
Section 302: The Extremely Hazardous Substance (EHS) Notification is a one-time reporting requirement. The latest lists of Extremely Hazardous Substances and the Threshold Planning Quantities are available at the USEPA Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention website. The AERC requests that the maximum amount of the EHS substance on site at any one time be reported in pounds rather than ranges. Section 303 requires emergency contact information to be provided for facilities that meet or exceed the reporting threshold for Extremely Hazardous Substances. Both sections are included on one form and can be filed by downloading the AERC's EHS Notification Form, and submitting the .pdf via e-mail to al312@adem.alabama.gov.
Include: facility name, year, and “EHS Notification” in the subject line.
