1. Tier II Chemical Reporting
Bernardine Zimmerman
Critical Infrastructure Division
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Trade Fair 2017
This presentation will show you several techniques you can use to make a PowerPoint presentation accessible. By “accessible,” we mean that:
People who cannot see well will still be able to read your slides during your presentation, and
People who have disabilities will be able to get the full meaning of your presentation from the PowerPoint file itself.
If you follow the techniques we present here, your presentation will also be more meaningful to anyone who must learn the information from the PowerPoint file alone.

2. Tier II Chemical Reporting is authorized under both state and federal law.
This is the basic view most people are familiar with. You can build your slide by adding a title at the top and a subtitle or content below. Whatever you put on the slide appears at left. But down below, where it says “Click to add notes,” is important, too. (That’s this part of the presentation.)

3. Federal Law
The Emergency Planning & Community Right-to-Know Act EPCRA, 42 U.S.C et seq. (1986)
Also known as the Superfund Amendments & Reauthorization Act (SARA), Title III
If the slide masters we’ve provided don’t meet your needs, feel free to create and use your own. This design is intended to help you break your presentation up into meaningful sections. You could then use a slide like this to introduce each section.

4. Texas Law: Texas Community Right-to-Know Acts (TCRAs)
Health & Safety Code
505 – Manufacturers
506 – Public Employers
507 – Non-Manufacturers
25 TAC

5. History of EPCRA
EPCRA was passed in 1986 in response to concerns about environmental and safety hazards posed by the storage and handling of toxic chemicals.

6. History of EPCRA
These concerns were triggered by the disaster in Bhopal, India, in which more than 3,800 people died and adverse health effects in greater than 170,000 survivors resulted from the accidental release of methyl isocyanate.

7. Rusted Pipes at abandoned site of 1984 disaster in Bhopal, India on November 14, 2014
Reuters/Danish Siddiqui -

8. What is a Hazardous Chemical?
OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard:
29 CFR (c) – Hazardous Chemical: Any chemical which is classified as a physical or health hazard, a simple asphyxiant, combustible dust, pyrophoric gas, or hazard not otherwise classified.

9. What is reportable? Hazardous Chemical
10,000 pounds or more present at any one time (ex. Diesel Fuel is reportable at 10,000 pounds or more)
EPA’s Extremely Hazardous Substance (EHS) List: 40 CFR Part 355, Appendices A & B
Extremely Hazardous Substance (EHS)
Threshold Planning Quantity (TPQ)
500 pounds or TPQ, whichever is less (ex. chlorine gas is reportable at 100 pounds (TPQ))

10. What Is Not Reportable Hazardous Waste Tobacco Wood or Wood Products
Articles – item that does not result in exposure
Food, Drugs, Cosmetics, or Alcoholic Beverages in retail
Hazardous Consumer Products
In transit
Sealed and not in facility longer than 5 days
Radioactive Waste
Does not meet threshold amount

11. When to Report Annual Reporting Period Initial Report Update Report
Jan 1 – March 1, for previous calendar year
Initial Report
New chemical onsite, or new facility = 90 days
(Ammonium Nitrate storage facility = 72 hours)
Update Report
Significant change in information on previously reported chemical such as:
Change in chemical weight range = 90 days

12. What To Report Facility Information Facility Name Facility Address
Facility Lat/Long
Manned/Unmanned
North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code
TCEQ RN/CN – optional
TXT2 Number

13. What to Report Chemical and Location Chemical Name/CAS
Chemical Physical Properties/Health Effects
Chemical Amount Range
EHS?
Specific Chemical Location Within Facility (Site Plan Optional)
Confidential Location?

14. What to Report
Contact Information
Tier II Information Contact
Emergency Contact – Two phone numbers, One Number must be a 24hr number
Owner/Operator Contact
Emergency Coordinator – if an EHS is present

15. Where to Report TCEQ – Electronic Reporting
State Emergency Response Commission (SERC)
Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) – list available at
Local Fire Department – list available at

16. Tier II Chemical Reporting Program Contacts
TCEQ Critical Infrastructure Division (in Texas only) – general questions – report submissions

18. Contact Information
Bernardine Zimmerman Environmental Specialist Telephone: ext Website:

19. QUESTIONS?