Congress passed the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), also known as Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA), in 1986.  EPCRA establishes requirements for businesses and for federal, state, and local governments regarding emergency planning and community right-to-know (CRTK) reporting for hazardous chemicals.  The CRTK provision in EPCRA helped increase awareness about the presence of chemicals in their communities and releases of these chemicals into the environment.  Many State legislatures also enacted CRTK laws that are consistent with federal law.  As a result, States and communities, working with industry, are better able to protect public health and the environment.  Congress enacted the EPCRA regulations to benefit communities.

Title 55 became effective June 14, 1993, and provides guidance by the WV Legialature on implementing EPCRA and SARA Title III for the WV SERC and LEPCs throughout the State. House Bill 2382 implements Federal Legislation on
EPCRA and SARA Title III into West Virginia Law.