EPA Region 8 Emergency Preparedness Newsletter
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Volume XII No. 4 Fourth Quarter 2022 Newsletter
Welcome to the EPA Region 8 Preparedness Newsletter.
Feel free to page through the entire newsletter or click on the links
to the stories you want to read first.
OSC Response-Wolff
Street Chemicals
Response Action
NASTTPQ Updates
PFAS
Updates toTRI
New CSB Safety
Video
EPA Updates
CISA Updates
FEMA Resources
Training
Opportunities
Chemical Emergency
Preparedness and
Prevention Documents
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OSC Response- Wolff Street Chemicals
EPA's On-Scene Coordinators (OSCs) routinely respond to common hazardous material incidents such
as commercial truck accidents, illegal chemical dumps, and abandoned commercial and residential
properties with asbestos or other hazardous materials. However, OSCs are also well-prepared to respond
to the occasional non-routine incidents such as the
Wolff Street Chemical response in Fall 2022.
On September 21, 2022, City of Denver officials
contacted EPA about a residential property with
various unknown chemical containers, small
radiological sources, and other unknown chemical
hazards. City officials requested EPA assistance
with assessment and disposal of chemicals found
in a residential duplex in the Highlands area of
North Denver on Wolff Street. Earlier that day, a
bomb threat had been reported for the same
location. The Denver Police Department Bomb
Squad responded to the report and cleared the
location. While no bomb was found, there were potentially explosive materials discovered and that,
along with the other building contents, prompted the City's call to EPA.
This location was not completely unknown to the authorities. The Denver Department of Public Health
and Environment (DDPHE) and federal authorities had previous contacts with the property owner. Some
weeks prior to this initiating event, the property owner had moved to an assisted living facility. It
appears that the property owner herself made the call to the Bomb Squad, as she understood that the
materials left at the property could pose a serious threat. That morning DDPHE immediately condemned
and deemed the property un-inhabitable, an imminent hazard to the public or environmental health and
unsafe for human habitation or presence. DDPHE evicted the
remaining occupant and evacuated the pets into an animal
shelter.
Region 8 OSC Todd DeGarmo deployed to the residence where
he met with DDPHE officials for a briefing and walk-
through of property. DeGarmo immediately recognized that this
was a potentially dangerous situation and determined that
the residence needed to be addressed as an emergency
response. The DDPHE turned over control of the property to the
EPA which installed new locks to prevent unauthorized entry
and to protect the public. EPA's contractor, the Superfund
Technical Assessment and Response Team (START) mobilized
to the Site, and, along with the EPA team, conducted extensive
monitoring inside the home using a variety of instruments to
assess the situation. Hie property was a duplex and given the
potential hazards, the EPA Team also assessed the adjacent home. Luckily, the interior of the
neighboring home did not show elevated levels of hazardous substances.
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OSC Response-Wolff Street Chemicals
On September 22nd, EPA's Emergency and Rapid Response Services (ERRS) contractors
mobilized to the site. Suited in Tyvek and respirators, the EPA team began the laborious process to
analyze, identify, segregate, and overpack the hazardous substances and radionuclides into DOT-
approved containers. For chemicals, EPA and its contractors performed standard hazard
classification on the assorted unknown chemical containers. This information was used to determine
safe handling of the chemicals for offsite transportation and disposal. The hazard classification
included, but was not limited to, tests for reactivity, water solubility, pH, flammability, oxidizer,
peroxide, sulfide, cyanide, and
halogenation. For radioactive nuclides, EPA used a
SAM 950 to determine radiation intensity and type of
radionuclide. A radionuclide and hazard classification
database was developed which incorporated the hazard
classification testing data on unknown chemicals with
the chemical container inventory database.
Over the next six days, the EPA team methodically and
safely cleared each room of the residence.
Chemicals were staged in a secured work area outside at
the back of the property. Radioactive nuclides were
removed to the back of the house and kept a maximum
distance from work areas and neighbors.
EPA continued to monitor the air for hazardous substances inside and outside the home to
ensure work areas remained safe throughout the process.
As part of a related inquiry, the FBI requested an inventory of the radioactive nuclides and other
chemicals found on the property. EPA identified a total of 59 radioactive sources that were re-analyzed,
re-packaged and transported for disposal by Curie Environmental Services to US Ecology in Idaho.
EPA determined that containers of ammonium perchlorate, diethyl ether, and crystallized dimethyl
sulfoxide stored ill the refrigerator were not safe to handle. EPA requested assistance from the Denver
Police Department Bomb Squad for transportation and disposal of these chemicals at their facility.
In total, EPA completed 176 hazardous classifications of widely
varying substances including elemental metals, various liquids,
acids, bases, variety of unlabeled powders, and glass ampoules
of gas in addition to an assortment of non-hazardous rocks, ores
cleaning compounds and household goods. All remaining hazardous
items are scheduled by the contractor for transportation and
disposal.
OSC DeGarmo had high praise for the professionalism and
responsiveness of the DDPHE and the Denver Bomb Squad. He
went on to say, "I very much appreciated the hard work and
dedication of our START and ERRS contractors, which we always rely upon".
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NASTTPO Announcements
CAMEO® USE Survey
The National Association of SARA Title III Program Officials (NASTTPO) is conducting a
survey to understand the current use and relevance of the Computer-Aided Management of
Emergency Operations (CAMEO) software suite. NASTTPO is requesting that CAMEO suite
users and non-users, that are a part of the chemical planning and response community, take their
short survey. This includes people who are emergency planners or responders, work at a fire
department, work in private industry or the regulated community, are private consultants or
contractors, or are a member of a Local or Tribal Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC or
TEPC) or a State or Tribal Emergency Response Commission (SERC or TERC). The survey
will be used to guide the future of the software and develop training materials. Please consider
forwarding the survey within your communities. The survey is available directly here and at
www.nasttpo.com.
Annual Conference Announcement
NASTTPO also recently announced that the 2023 Annual Conference is confirmed for April 17-
20 in Salt Lake City, UT at the Radisson Downtown. Registration and agenda information will
be coming to the www.nasttpo.com soon shortly. Be sure to mark your calendars!
New CSB Report and Safety Video
CSB Releases Final Report on 2019 PES Fire and Explosion in Philadelphia
CSB released its final investigative report into a massive fire and explosions at the Philadelphia
Energy Solutions (PES) Refinery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that occurred in June 2019. The
incident occurred when a corroded pipe elbow ruptured, releasing process fluid into the
refinery's hydrofluoric acid (HF) alkylation unit. During the incident, over 5,000 pounds of
highly toxic HF were released, a 38,000-pound vessel fragment launched off-site and landed on
the other side of the Schuylkill River, and an estimated property damage loss of $750 million
resulted.
CSB also released a new safety video: Wake Up Call: Refinery Disaster in Philadelphia
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CISA Updates
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released an updated Infrastructure
Resilience Planning Framework (IRPF) today to better help state, local, tribal, and territorial
(SLTT) planners manage risk to critical infrastructure systems and enhance their resilience. First
released in 2021, today's update to the IRPF adds important new resources and tools to better sup-
port partners as they face an evolving threat environment.
What is the IRPF 1.1?
The IRPF is a framework that enables users to identify critical infrastructure, assess related risks,
and develop and implement resilience solutions. The framework helps them understand intercon-
nected infrastructure systems and can be incorporated into many types of plans such as economic
development, capital improvement plans, hazard mitigation, and emergency response/recovery.
The IRPF's audience is state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, regional planning commis-
sions, infrastructure owners and operators, and large manufacturing clusters.
The main changes featured in the 1.1 updated include:
o Creation of a new tool for identifying critical infrastructure, the Datasets for Critical Infrastruc-
ture Identification guide,
o Added guidance on the challenges of getting a diverse set of opinions when planning,
o New information regarding the Drought planning guide,
o Additional clarity on PPD-21.
o More information regarding existing ISD assessment program,
o Increased references to other existing tools and CISA programs.
The IRPF 1.1 will be posted to cisa.gov/idr-program.
Questions, Comments, and Follow-ups
If you have questions, comments, or would like to receive a presentation, feel free to email CISA at
idr@cisa.dhs.gov. You can also contact David Willey (David.Willev@cisa.dhs.gov) or Sandra Pi-
nel (sandra.pinel@cisa.dhs.gov). CISA is also available to present at your respective monthly
meeting. Please feel free to contact CISA if a regional stakeholder is interested in further infor-
mation or technical assistance.
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FEMA Resource Releases
FEMA National Continuous Improvement Guidance
FEMA published the National Continuous Improvement Guidance, which provides an approach
to conduct consistent and rigorous continuous improvement activities before, during and after
real-world incidents. The guidance is intended for the whole community, including state, local,
tribal and territorial partners; nongovernmental organizations; the private sector; and other or-
ganizations with emergency management functions.
To download the guidance, please visit https://preptoolkit.fema.gov/web/cip-citap/ncig.
Throughout the fall, FEMA hosted a series of 60-minute webinar sessions to launch the National
Continuous Improvement Guidance. The webinars provided an overview of the guidance and
discussed revisions based on feedback from the national engagement period held earlier this
year.
FEMA Emergency Operations Center How-to Quick Reference Guide
FEMA published the updated EOC How-to Quick Reference Guide. This document will con-
tribute to developing an EOC that can successfully meet the jurisdiction's needs and will cover
topics such as hazard vulnerability assessments, physical site selection, mitigation, considera-
tions, EOC capabilities and requirements, information management systems, and training and
exercises.
FEMA Public Assistance Hazard Mitigation
FEMA provides support to state, local, Tribal and territorial (SLTT) governments to respond to
and recover from major disasters through the Public Assistance (PA) Program. PA applicants
may apply for hazard mitigation funding to increase the resilience of disaster-damaged facilities.
The purpose of PA Mitigation funding under Section 406 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Re-
lief and Emergency Assistance Act is to provide assistance for cost-effective hazard mitigation
measures that reduce the potential for future damage to a facility from a disaster event. PA Miti-
gation is in addition to any code and standard upgrade requirements.
To be eligible for funding, mitigation measures must be cost-effective using a benefit-cost anal-
ysis. FEMA developed a list of hazard mitigation measures pre-determined to be cost-effective
up to 100 percent of repair costs as a streamlining tool. That list is contained in Appendix J of
the Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide (PAPPGV4).
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FEMA Resource Releases, continued
In support of the agency's 2022-2026 Strategic Plan goals to instill equity and foster climate
resilience, FEMA is seeking input to add additional measures to the list of cost-effective hazard
mitigation measures in Appendix J. This effort aims to increase use of PA hazard mitigation
funding and promote greater resiliency by making a larger selection of hazard mitigation
measures more readily available to SLTTs, without the need for them to further demonstrate
cost-effectiveness.
The public comment period is open from November 21 through December 21, 2022. Comments
should be submitted via the online form at FEMA Seeks Public Feedback on Cost-Effective
Hazard Mitigation Measures | FEMA.gov
PFAS Resources
Summary: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to add per- and
polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) subject to reporting under the Emergency Planning and
Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) and the Pollution Prevention Act (PPA) pursuant to
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (NDAA) to the list of Lower
Thresholds for Chemicals of Special Concern (chemicals of special concern). These PFAS
already have a lower reporting threshold of 100 pounds. The addition of these PFAS to the list
of chemicals of special concern will cause such PFAS to be subject to the same reporting
requirements as other chemicals of special concern (i.e., it would eliminate the use of the de
minimis exemption and the option to use Form A and would limit the use of range reporting for
PFAS). Removing the availability of these burden-reduction reporting options will result in a
more complete picture of the releases and waste management quantities for these PFAS. In
addition, EPA is proposing to remove the availability of the de minimis exemption for purposes
of the Supplier Notification Requirements for all chemicals on the list of chemicals of special
concern. This change will help ensure that purchasers of mixtures and trade name products
containing such chemicals are informed of their presence in mixtures and products they
purchase.
You can read the proposed notice published December 5, 2022 in the Federal Register for more
information.
Be sure to continuously consult EPA's PFAS webpage for updates on EPA's progress and key
actions.
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Updates to TRI Program
2021 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Data Available
The complete 2021 TRI dataset is now available in TRI Toxics Tracker and the other online TRI
tools. The dataset will be the basis for the 2021 TRI National Analysis, planned for publication
in early 2023. Find TRI facilities near you.
Additional Chemicals Added to TRI list
In November, EPA finalized a rule adding 12 chemicals to Toxics Release Inventory (TRI)
reporting requirements. Available data show these chemicals have moderately high to high
human health toxicity and/or are highly toxic to aquatic organisms. EPA has classified one of
the chemicals as a persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) chemical and designated it as a
chemical of special concern with a 100-pound reporting threshold: 1,3,4,6,7,8-Hexahydro-
4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta[g]-2-benzopyran, or HHCB.
The chemicals now subject to TRI reporting requirements are:
• Dibutyltin dichloride; 683-18-1;
• l,3-Dichloro-2-propanol; 96-23-1;
• Formamide; 75-12-7;
• l,3,4,6,7,8-Hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta[g]-2-benzopyran; 1222-05-5;
• N-Hydroxyethylethylenediamine; 111-41-1;
• Nitrilotriacetic acid trisodium salt; 5064-31-3;
• p-(l,l?3,3-Tetramethylbutyl)phenol; 140-66-9;
• 1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene; 87-61-6;
• Triglycidyl isocyanurate; 2451-62-9;
• Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate; 115-96-8;
• Tris(l,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate; 13674-87-8;
• Tris(dimethylphenol) phosphate; 25155-23-1.
You can read the final rule here.
Updated NAICS Codes for TRI Reporting
EPA has finalized updates to the list of North American Industry Classification System
(NAICS) codes subject to reporting under the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) to reflect the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 2022 NAICS code revision. OMB updates the
NAICS codes every five years. EPA is implementing the 2022 codes for TRI Reporting Year
2022 (i.e., facilities reporting to TRI are required to use 2022 NAICS codes on reports that are
due to the Agency by July 1, 2023). The actual data required by a TRI form does not change as a
result of this rulemaking, nor does the rule affect the universe of TRI reporting facilities that are
required to submit reports to the Agency under the Emergency Planning and Community Right -
to-Know Act (EPCRA). Learn more here.
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Methane Reduction Proposal
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Issues Supplemental Proposal to Reduce
Methane and Other Harmful Pollution from Oil and Natural Gas Operations
EPA is proposing to update, strengthen and expand its November 2021 proposal that would
secure major climate and health benefits for all Americans by reducing emissions of methane
and other harmful air pollution from both new and existing oil and gas operations. The Agency
has issued a supplemental proposal that would achieve more comprehensive emissions
reductions from oil and natural gas facilities by improving standards in the 2021 proposal and
adding proposed requirements for sources not previously covered. Please visit EPA's website
for more information.
Tier II Submit updates available
Tier2 Submit 2022 and CAMEO Data Manager 4.2.0 Software Updates Released
The official versions of Tier2 Submit 2022 and CAMEO Data Manager 4.2.0 are now available
on the EPA website.
• See the download pages for a list of changes in each software update.
• A Tier2 Submit tutorial is also available on the download page.
• For questions, review the help topics in the programs or contact the RMP Reporting Center
via email (RMPRC@epacdx.net) or phone (703-227-7650) on weekdays from 8 AM to 4:30
PM Eastern Time.
EPA Regional Training Resources
As we enter the new year, this is the perfect opportunity to look at your priorities and needs for
the upcoming year. Are you aware of what resources we have that may be helpful for you?
Industry-EPA Region 8 has previously partnered with South Dakota and Utah to hold industry
based chemical workshops. Are you located in another state within Region 8 and may be
interested in having a workshop in your area? We can cover anything from reporting
requirements (federal and state) and even what to expect if you are being inspected. Let us or
your SERC know!
LEPCs- Are you looking to reengage after Covid? Reach out to your SERC or reach out to our
office. We can provide resources anywhere from LEPC 101 to assisting with Emergency
Response Plan development, validation and exercise development and execution.
Contact Bre Bockstahler at bockstahler.breann@epa.gov if you are interested in more
information.
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EPA Covid Resources
EPA is updating its coronavirus website to include new resources for state, local, and tribal
agencies and intergovernmental associations. These resources will help EPA and its partners
continue to provide the environmental protection the nation depends on without interruption
during the coronavirus public health emergency.
EPA's Coronavirus (COVID- l 9) Resources for State. Local and Tribal Agencies and Associa-
tions contains important information on grants, enforcement and compliance programs, water
infrastructure, and a host of other issues important to effective environmental program delivery.
The webpage will be updated regularly with new information.
EPA is also continuing to update resources on its website and add to the list of surface disin-
fectant products that are effective against SARS-CoV-2. To contact EPA about a coronavirus
(COVID-19) issue, you may do so here: https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/forms/contact-us-
about-coronavirus-covid-19.
Chemical Emergency Preparedness and
Prevention Documents
EPCRA Requirements: http://www.epa.gov/epcra
NRT Hazardous Materials Emergency Planning Guidance:
https://www.nrt. org/Main/Resources.aspx?ResourceType=Hazards%20('Oil%20Chemic
al.%20 Radi ol ogi cal ,%20etc )& ResourceSecti on=2
Actions to Improve Chemical Facility Safety and Security - A Shared Commitment:
https://www.osha.gov/chemicalexecutiveorder/index.html
EPCRA On-Line Training: https://www.epa.gov/epcra/epcra-non-section-313-online-
training-states-tribes-lepcs-local-planners-and-responders
EPCRA Fact Sheets: https://www.epa.gov/epcra/epcra-fact-sheets
EPCRA Regional Contacts: https://www.epa.gov/epcra/epcra-regional-contacts
EPCRA, RMP & Oil Information Center: https://www.epa.gov/epcra/forms/contact-us-
about-emergencv-planning-and-communitv-right-know-act-epcra
TIER2 Submit: https://www.epa.gov/epcra/tier2-submit-software
LEPC/TEPC Handbook: https://www.epa.gOv/epcra/national-lepc-tepc-handbook#full
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EPA Region 8 Preparedness Program
We will increase EPA Region 8 preparedness through:
• Planning, training, and developing outreach relations with federal agencies, states, tribes, local OUR
organizations, and the regulated community. MISSIC
• Assisting in the development of EPA Region 8 preparedness planning and response capabilities
through the RSC, IMT, RRT, OPA, and RMP.
• Working with facilities to reduce accidents and spills through education, inspections, and enforcement.
To contact a member of our Region 8 EPA Preparedness Unit team, review our programs or view our
organization chart, click this link.
Region 8 SERC Contact Information
Colorado
Montana
Utah
Ms. Amanda Hettinger, Co-Chair
Ms. Delila Bruno, Co-Chair
Ms. Kim Shelley , Co-Chair
Phone: 303-692-2000
Phone: 406-324-4777
Phone: 801-536-4404
amanda.hettinger@state.co.us
dbruno@mt.gov
kshelley@utah.gov
Mr. Mike Willis, Co-Chair
Mr. John Rasmann, Co-Chair
Mr. Jess Anderson Co-Chair
Phone: 720-852-6694
Phone: 406-444-5328
Phone: 801-965-4062
mike.willis@state.co.us
jrasmann2@mt.gov
jessanderson@utah.gov
North Dakota
South Dakota
Wyoming
Mr. Darin Hanson, Chair
Mr. Dustin Willett, Chair
Mr. Dale Heggem, Chair
Phone: 701-328-8100
Phone: 800-433-2288
Phone: 307-777-7321
nddes@nd.gov
Contact: Kelsey.Newling@state.sd.us
dale.heggem@wyo.gov
RMP Region 8 Reading Room: (303) 312-6345
RMP Reporting Center: The Reporting Center can answer questions about software or installation
problems. The RMP Reporting Center is available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday - Fri-
day: (703) 227-7650 or email RMPRC@epacdx.net.
RMP: https://www.epa.gov/rmp EPCRA: https://www.epa.gov/epcra
Emergency Response: https://www.epa.gov/emergencv-response
Lists Of Lists (Updated April 2022)
Questions? Call the Superfund, TRI, EPCRA, RMP, and Oil Information Center at (800) 424-9346 (Monday-
Thursday).
To report an oil or chemical spill, call the National Response
Center at (800) 424-8802.
1,800,424-8802
National
Center
U.S. EPA Region 8
1595 Wynkoop Street (8SEM-EM)
Denver, CO 80202-1129
800-227-8917
This newsletter provides information on the EPA Risk Management Program, EPCRA, SPCC/FRP (Facility Response Plan) ami other issues relating
to Accidental Release Prevention Requirements. The information should be used as a reference tool, not as a definitive source of compliance
information. Compliance regulations are published in 40 CFR Part 68 for CAA section 112(r) Risk Management Program, 40 CFR Part 355/3 70for
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