EPCRA Section 302

Requires a facility to notify state and local planners when it holds an Extremely Hazardous Substance at or above its Threshold Planning Quantity.

Section 302 is the emergency planning trigger. If a facility holds an Extremely Hazardous Substance at or above its Threshold Planning Quantity, it must notify the State Emergency Response Commission and the Local Emergency Planning Committee, and designate a facility emergency coordinator.

This is a one-time notification rather than an annual one, though it must be repeated when a facility newly becomes subject to it. It exists so local planners can build the facility into their emergency response plans.

Section 302 is separate from, and can be triggered independently of, the annual Tier II inventory under Section 312.

Related terms

• Extremely Hazardous SubstanceA substance on EPA's Section 302 list, subject to lower reporting thresholds and emergency planning notification.
• Threshold Planning QuantityThe amount of an Extremely Hazardous Substance at which emergency planning obligations begin.
• SERCThe state body that receives EPCRA filings and oversees local emergency planning committees.
• LEPCThe local body that develops emergency response plans using the chemical data facilities report.

A plain-English explanation, not legal advice. Figures are the federal baseline; your state may differ, so see the state-by-state requirements.