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What is an LEPC? . Washington state is divided into more than 40 local emergency planning districts. Within each planning district, a Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) exists which includes representatives of local government, emergency response organizations, environmental and citizen groups, and industry, along with other interested parties in the county. Each county in the state has an LEPC. In addition, several cities have their own LEPCs separate from their county LEPC. LEPCs serve as focal points in communities for information about hazardous materials, emergency planning measures, and health and environmental risks due to hazardous substances. Local LEPCs consist of local representatives familiar with factors that affect public safety, the environment, and the economy of a community. Plans developed by LEPCs must include the identity and location of hazardous materials, procedures for immediate response to chemical accidents, ways to notify the public about protective actions they must take, names of coordinators at plants, and schedules for testing the plan. In addition to developing response plans, LEPCs also receive emergency release and hazardous chemical inventory information submitted by local facilities, and make this information available to the public upon request. LEPCs may charge a nominal fee for this informational service. Radiological Emergency Workers check for potential contamination at the KI-BE Emergency Worker Assistance Center (EWAC) in a 2004 drill Furthermore, LEPCs have the authority to request information from facilities for their own planning purposes or on behalf of others. LEPC members can visit facilities in a community to learn what is being done to reduce hazards, prepare for accidents, and reduce hazardous inventories and releases. LEPCs can take civil actions against facilities if they fail to provide information required under the Emergency Planning and Community Right To Know Act (EPCRA). To report problems or provide feedback, please send email to: Webmaster