Local Emergency Planning Committee

What is the Local Emergency Planning Committee?

It is a community based organization that helps prepare for emergencies, primarily those involving hazardous materials that are stored, transported, or utilized in our local community.  They develop and review emergency response plans that include evacuation plans, training programs, and a description of local equipment and facilities.  Provides information about chemicals in the designated district to its citizens.

History

The Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC).  Is a federally mandated body.  Passed in October of 1986 by the U.S. Congress under Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA).  Which included The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA).  The law was a direct response to two incidents, primarily the 1984 Union-Carbide toxic gas release in Bhopal, India.  This incident has resulted, to date in excess of 20,000 deaths, and roughly 250,000 - 500,000 injuries.  A year later the same toxic gas was released in West Virginia, United States, injuring at least 150 people in the surrounding community.  This prompted Congress to pass these laws to protect the community from future incidents.  This is to not only inform the local residents of the chemicals in their areas, but also prepare first responders with a plan of how to respond to a specific hazardous chemical release.

The purpose of this law would require communities to plan for emergencies, involving the release of hazardous chemicals in their area.  It aims to protect public health and the enviroment by providing the public and government with information about the potential chemical hazards in those districts, such as what the chemical is, the amount, how to treat a release and/or exposure.  This includes evacuation planning in the event of a release.

Santa Fe County LEPC reports under the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC).  Through the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management of New Mexico.

Structure

The SERC's or State Emergency Response Commission's are required to divide their states into Emergency Planning Districts and name an LEPC for each district.  In this case Santa Fe County would be a district.  As of October 10th, 2024 Santa Fe County Office of Emergency Management hosted the 2nd official quarterly meeting establishing the committee by-laws establishing the conduct and voting of it's members and public cooperation and participation.  The LEPC consists of a Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Information Officer, which is voted on by voting members of the committee.  Which would consist of citizens of Santa Fe County, business operators, law enforcement, fire department personnel and subject matter experts.  The meetings are held quarterly and are open to the public.  All public records requests for hazardous chemical information should be forwarded to the State Emergency Response Commission at this time.  See the meeting schedule below.

Meeting Schedule and Information

Scheduled Local Emergency Planning Committee Meetings (LEPC), for 2025 will take place at

The Nancy Rodriguez Community Center

1 Prairie Dog Loop

Santa Fe, NM 87507

The LEPC quarterly meeting schedule is as follows.  

January 9th, 2025.  10am - 1pm

April 10th, 2025.  10am - 1pm

July 10th, 2025.  10am - 1pm

October 9th, 2025.  10am - 1pm

If you have any questions, comments or concerns.  Please contact us HERE.  

Sub-Committees

At present time there are no sub-committees.  During our October 10th 2024 meeting, it was voted to allow sub-committees to the LEPC.  This was optional, and is not a requirement of EPCRA.  The reason for this vote was to allow the LEPC to grow and include other emergencies outside of hazardous materials.