Why a Statewide Hazmat Database is Key to Better, Faster Solutions

The primary purpose of Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) is to support emergency planning and response. However, potential uses extend far beyond SERCs, LEPCs, and Fire Departments. The information collected and stored within a centralized statewide hazmat database can be useful to a variety of agencies and programs, especially with the advanced capabilities of Hazconnect to evaluate, query, and extract data.

Environmental agencies have numerous programs that can benefit from the statewide hazmat database. Underground Storage Tanks (USTs) and Above Ground Storage Tanks (ASTs) Programs, Discharge Permitting, and Air Emissions Permitting programs can all benefit from looking up chemical storage and owner information. A search of a statewide hazmat database could identify facilities with specific business classifications, chemical substances, or hazards. Environmental agencies also regulate hazardous waste. A hazmat database includes data for the products and processes that lead to hazardous waste. Storage details and sitemaps provide further clues on waste generation points at a facility. Contaminated Site Cleanup programs world be interested for insight into past chemical use at sites. Phase 1 Site Assessments being completed for property transfers may also find very useful information within a statewide hazmat database.

There are several obvious programs within the realm of Emergency Preparedness, Response and Prevention. If a state operates an Accidental Release Prevention Program, searching a statewide EPCRA hazmat database makes it easy to verify sites. In addition, complying with America’s Water Infrastructure Act, which requires public drinking water agencies and community water systems to have access to EPCRA data for protection of source water, becomes much easier since Hazconnect can be used to locate water resources around a facility and automatically send them notifications when a release happens.

There are a variety of other safety related agencies and programs that can benefit from a statewide hazmat database. Fire Marshal offices need to review building plans and need to check for flammable and/or combustible liquid and gas installations in relation to fire protection systems. Other agencies who can benefit include Planning and Zoning decision makers, Business Licensing, Workplace Safety and Hazard Communication Programs, and Business Assistance Programs. By using a single statewide hazmat data asset, the efforts of different agencies becoming unified, multiplying their ability to make better decisions faster.