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11/29/2022

Webinar: Massachusetts New EPCRA Reporting Requirements

12/13/2022 at 10:30 ET

MA Municipal, Authority and State facilities:

On August 18, 2022, MA received initial approval to be a MA OSHA delegated state.  The Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards (DLS), Workplace Safety and Health Program for Public Employees, is now responsible for implementation of the Massachusetts State Plan. The Massachusetts State Plan covers all state and local government workers in the state. It does not cover federal government workers. Find out more: https://www.osha.gov/stateplans/ma

On December 13, 2022, EPA Region 1 will be providing an overview of EPCRA reporting requirements for newly OSHA delegated facilities in Massachusetts.

Webinar: Massachusetts New EPCRA Reporting Requirements, 12/13/2022 at 10:30 ET

Register: https://usepa.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_QGZHPz0OTgyMP0NczR2QSw

Even if you cannot make the date of the webinar, please register so a recorded link can be provided.  EPA can only provide the recording to those that registered for webinar. 

What changes for municipal, authorities or state facilities? 

Now that Massachusetts is an OSHA delegated state, Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA) requirements will apply to municipal, authority or state owned and operated facilities. 

EPCRA establishes requirements for federal, state, and local governments, Indian tribes, and industry regarding the emergency planning and reporting of hazardous and toxic chemicals stored on-site. Individual facilities are required to report annually on the presence and use of chemicals on-site in order to help states and communities improve chemical safety and protect public health and the environment. Every March 1st, facilities covered by EPCRA must submit an emergency and hazardous chemical inventory form (Tier II Report) to the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) or Tribal Emergency Planning Committee (TEPC), the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) or Tribal Emergency Response Commission (TERC) and the local fire department for the previous calendar year.

Facilities will need to file an EPCRA Tier II form if your facility has any materials, chemicals and/or fuels above the EPCRA Tier II reporting thresholds of 10,000 pounds.  Don’t forget to look at the capacity of both above and below ground tanks.  In addition, many facilities may also have Extremely Hazardous Substances (EHS), which is a specific list with thresholds of 500 pounds or less.  To assist organizations, EPA has provided at the end of the letter some examples of materials often reported. Keep in mind that certain types of facilities like schools, universities, medical facilities may have additional reportable materials.

Resources: 

EPCRA website:

https://www.epa.gov/epcra 

EPCRA Tier 2 reporting procedures and requirements for your state:

https://www.epa.gov/epcra/state-tier-ii-reporting-requirements-and-procedures

Tier2 Submit 2022 Software, now available to download:

https://www.epa.gov/epcra/tier2-submit-software

EPA Region 1 four part EPCRA video series

https://www.epa.gov/epcra/emergency-planning-and-community-right-know-act-epcra-workshops-new-england

EPCRA Quick Reference Fact Sheet, Fall 2020

https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-10/documents/epcra_quick_reference_fact_sheet.pdf

Guide to EPCRA, Fall 2020

https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-10/documents/guide_to_epcra.pdf

Questions?  Contact the TRI, EPCRA, RMP & Oil Information Center: 1-800-424-9346

For New England facilities, you can also contact Len Wallace, Wallace.Len@epa.gov, EPA Region 1, 617-918-1835 or Janet Bowen, bowen.janet@epa.gov, EPA Region 1, 617-918-1795.

To assist, here are some examples of materials often reported by facilities:

Batteries

Fuels

Oils

Extremely Hazardous Substances

Other

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