The North Carolina Chemical Accident Prevention Program focuses on facilities with large quantities of hazardous chemicals to prevent catastrophic chemical accidents, reduce risk to communities, and minimize the consequences of releases that do occur. This is accomplished by evaluating chemical hazards, expanding industry accident prevention programs, and coordinating facility and community emergency response programs.

Background

Congress established provisions in Section 112(r) of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments for the prevention of accidental chemical releases. As mandated, EPA published its final regulation under Title 40 Part 68 of the Code of Federal Regulations, titled "Chemical Accident Prevention Provisions." The North Carolina Division of Air Quality incorporated the federal regulation as amended under 15A NCAC 2D. 2100, "Risk Management Program."

This rule requires facilities holding more than a threshold quantity of a regulated substance in a process to comply with EPA’s RMP regulations.  This regulation requires owners or operators of covered facilities to implement a risk management program and to submit an RMP to EPA.

Rules & Regulations

• 15A NCAC 2D .2100, Risk Management Program
• 40 CFR Part 68, Chemical Accident Prevention Provisions

Resources

• Chemical Accidental Release Prevention Program Brochure
• RMP Applicability Reference Card
• RMP Inspection Checklist
• EPA’s “Risk Management Plan Public Data Tool” search engine