Resources for Hazardous Materials Facility Owners and Operators
Federal and State Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Laws place requirements on facilities that maintain inventories of certain types and amounts of hazardous materials (See the applicable Federal law and the State Law.). These are facilities whose inventories include:
- Hazardous chemicals above 10,000 pounds (that's about 1500 gallons of liquid products); or
- Extremely Hazardous Substances (EHS) at 500 pounds or the listed Threshold Planning Quantity (TPQ) for each chemical, whichever is less.
(See the EPA's List of Lists for chemical listings and Threshold Planning Quantities)
These facilities must report those inventories each year to:
- The local fire department,
- Local Emergency Planning Committee and
- The State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) annually.
Filing must be done electronically, using US EPA's Tier II Submit software, available free from the EPA. We've also developed a free webinar explaining the filing process.
In Maine, there are registration and inventory fees associated with the reports. These fees return value by supporting planning, training and exercise and right-to-know activities at the county, local and state levels.
Facilities which maintain inventories over the TPQ of an EHS must also develop an emergency plan, provide it to the local LEPC and fire department, and annually review and exercise the plan.
Please contact us with any questions about filing or planning requirements. We will walk you through the process and provide any needed information.
Filing Requirements, Forms and References
Links and References for Facilities
- Agency Rules: Maine Emergency Management Agency (Chapter 2)
State of Maine rules: Chapter 2 Establishment of Fees for the Reporting of Hazardous Materials - Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)
EPA Summary of EPCRA - Maine DEP: Office of Innovation and Assistance
Maine DEP site to seek guidance and answers on Maine?s environmental regulations, laws, and policies. - Maine DEP: Spills and Site Clean-up
Maine DEP comprehensive information on spills and clean-up of chemical spills - Maine State Statute: State Emergency Response Commission
Subchapter 3-A of Title 37-B MRSA: "Coordination and Administration of the federal Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Reauthorization Act of 1986", with specific provisions for Maine. Section 791 through 806. - Office of State Fire Marshal: Above Ground Storage Tank Requirements
Summary of Fire Marshal requirements for above ground storage tanks, flammable or combustible liquids safety - US EPA: Emergency Response Program
EPA responds to oil spills, chemical, biological, radiological releases, and large-scale national emergencies, and provides additional response assistance when state and local first responder capabilities have been exhausted or when additional support is requested. - US EPA: SARA Title III List of Lists
This consolidated list of chemicals subject to reporting requirements under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and Section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act. - US EPA: Tier II Submit Software
State of Maine accepts chemical inventory reports only via Tier II Submit. EPA developed Tier II Submit to help facilities prepare electronic chemical inventory reports. - Webinar: Tier II "How to"
A MEMA webinar illustrating the installation and use of Tier II Submit software, required in Maine to submit chemical inventory reports.