Review - OMB Approves EPA SERC Survey ICR

Yesterday, the OMB’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs issued a new OMB Control Number for an information collection request from the EPA. Control Number 2050-0224 provides data collection authority for “Survey of State Emergency Response Commissions (SERCs)”. The new survey form will provide the EPA with a comprehensive look at the current state of SERCS and the Local Emergency Planning Commissions (LEPCs) established under §301 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA) (42 USC 11001).

I hope that the response rate from the State and Tribal SERCS is much closer to 100% than the EPA’s predictions. SERCS and LEPCs form a potentially important backbone for the emergency response planning for chemical emergencies. I think that that backbone is currently weak and needs additional support. A survey like this could provide both the EPA and Congress with the information necessary to identify the extent of the current weaknesses in this important program.

For more details on the survey and EPA’s IRC, see my article at CFSN Detailed Response - https://patrickcoyle.substack.com/p/omb-approves-epa-serc-survey-icr - subscription required.