Established in 1987, the Philadelphia Local Emergency Planning Committee (PLEPC) is responsible for developing a comprehensive chemical emergency response plan for the City of Philadelphia.

The PLEPC meets quarterly to assess resources and capabilities for dealing with hazardous materials incidents and emergencies. The committee focuses on planning, preventing, and responding to these events effectively.

PLEPC activities are dedicated to protecting the health and safety of people, communities, and the environment from hazardous materials incidents. As such, PLEPC promotes community awareness and ensures the proper identification and inventory of hazardous materials, storage sites, and transportation sites. It also provides Philadelphians with information on chemical hazards and emergency plans. The committee offers or sponsors seminars, workshops, presentations, and newsletters for government agencies, businesses, and the health care community.

The committee also works to meet the responsibilities of the Tier II Reporting Requirements set out in SARA Title III, Pennsylvania Act 165.

PLEPC Members

Members of the PLEPC include local agencies such as the fire and police departments, emergency medical services, health agencies, local civic and environmental groups, and the owners of industrial facilities.

Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) Tier II Reporting Requirements

The LEPC Tier II Reporting Requirements provide step-by-step instructions for completing your Tier II Report. For more information, review Pennsylvania’s Tier II Reporting Requirements: https://www.pa.gov/services/dli/submit-a-tier-ii-report-.

What is Tier II reporting?
Under the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA), facilities using, storing, or manufacturing more than a certain amount of hazardous chemicals on-site at any time during the 2023 calendar year are required to submit reports on their chemical inventories and pay fees to the state and local authorities. Please use the reference table below to assist in determining whether to file a Tier II report.

Tier II Reporting Process

Step 1: Submit a Tier II report.
Philadelphia Tier II facilities submit Tier II reports to the Pennsylvania Bureau of PENNSAFE’s PATTS website: http://www.lipatts.state.pa.us/submit.

Step 2: Submit an Off-Site Emergency Response Plan (if applicable)
Facilities storing Extremely Hazardous Substances (EHS) above the EPA’s Threshold Planning Quantity (TPQ) will need to complete an Off-Site Emergency Response Plan that the LEPC has developed. Qualifying Tier II facilities can use the LEPC’s Emergency Response Plan (ERP) Template to provide facility-specific information (e.g., Facility emergency contacts, equipment, communications systems, etc.).

The template is available here.

The initial template should be uploaded to the PATTS platform as DRAFT PENDING APPROVAL. Additionally, the plan should be submitted to LEPC@phila.gov. The LEPC will complete and approve the remaining plan. Once the LEPC approves the plan, facilities will receive the completed, approved plan and be asked to upload a FINAL VERSION to the PATTS website.
Step 3: Invoicing and Billing
Tier II facilities will receive a bill from both the state and the LEPC.

The current LEPC Tier II fees for Philadelphia are as follows:

• $75.00/chemical
• $100.00 flat emergency planning fee for facilities storing Extremely Hazardous Substances (EHS) above the EPA’s Threshold Planning Quantity (TPQ)

Invoices will be sent to the Point of Contact listed in the PATTS submission through the Haz Connect system. Questions about billing should be directed to LEPC@phila.gov.

Step 4: Follow-up and Site Inspections
Facilities that fail to submit timely or complete information will receive additional outreach from the City of Philadelphia. Additionally, some sites may be inspected by the Philadelphia Fire Department Hazardous Materials Administrative Unit.