Comparison of DOE and EPA Hazardous Material Planning Requirements

A Comparison of DOE and EPA Hazardous Material Planning Requirements

Facilities containing certain hazardous materials are required by law to conduct hazards-based emergency planning.  The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) require this kind of planning for facilities that produce, handle, process, distribute, or store regulated chemicals.  It is important, especially for DOE facilities that must comply with requirements from both agencies, to understand the two processes for emergency management and how they affect emergency response. 

EPA’s Risk Management Program (RMP) focuses on planning for emergencies involving chemicals.  Facilities―both public and private―containing any of the chemicals listed in the Code of Federal Regulations must complete an RMP.  The DOE’s Emergency Management Program, required at all DOE facilities, focuses not only on planning but also on preparedness, response, recovery, and readiness assurance.  Both programs require that hazardous materials of concern be modeled for consequence analysis, but they vary in the tools and factors that are considered.  These methodology differences can lead to significantly divergent assessments of hazards and risks, with resulting differences in the scope of a hazardous materials emergency management program.

This presentation describes the similarities and differences between the two programs, while specifically focusing on their approaches to consequence assessment.  Example assessments are compared to illustrate the methodology differences and highlight the implications for emergency planning and response.