Evaluation Process

Each state recognized LEPC will be eligible for up to $3,200 in HMEP planning funding during the 2025 grant cycle (Oct 1, 2024-Sept 30, 2025). To ensure an equal and impartial awarding system, the Hazmat Section will award the grant equally to all qualifying LEPC with eligible projects. The following criteria will be used to award LEPCs grant funding.

A. B. Applications must be complete. All necessary forms must be included. Project proposals must meet the intent of the Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grant Program. Projects must be related to hazardous materials planning, such as those examples identified in item III of this document.

C. Projects should be available to other jurisdictions. No work will be considered proprietary. All data and accomplishments derived from this grant program will be made available to the Hazmat Section for distribution to any LEPC/TERC interested in acquiring or utilizing them.

D. Any expenses not listed in Section III must be pre-authorized by Art Deyo by e-mail at [email protected] before seeking reimbursement.

Notification of Funding

The decision to fund projects will be made by the Hazmat Section and presented to the SERC. All applicants will receive written notification as to the status of their grant application. Project approval will be made as soon as possible after required documentation is received from the LEPC. The award document and articles of agreement will be sent to those Jurisdictions who will receive HMEP Grant funds once the project is approved. Each recipient will need to sign and return the original articles of agreement, Form 76–10, to the Hazmat Section.

Availability of Funds

For the 2024-25 grant year, U.S. DOT will be providing approximately $61,500 to Utah for HMEP Planning Pass-Through Grant funding. All of this funding will be passed directly to LEPCs. A maximum award cap of $3,200 federal share per application has been established for an LEPC with at least $4,000 in eligible expenses. Applicants may develop project proposals which exceed $4,000 in cost, however, the Hazmat Section will fund only those activities which are eligible under this grant program, and applicants will be responsible for all costs beyond the $4,000 ($3,200 federal share) maximum allowable cap.

Matching Funds

Under the HMEP program, a 20% matching share to the total cost of the project is required. Funds or costs used for matching purposes under any other federal grant or cooperative agreement may not be used for matching purposes (in other words, the matching share must be new money). You cannot use federal funds as a match since these are already federal dollars. In-kind matching funds must be verifiable. You are permitted to use “in-kind” revenue as the matching funds. For example, personnel expenditures needed to administer the grant at the local level are considered “in-kind” funding.

The period of performance for the 2025 HMEP Planning grant will run from October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025 with a final reporting and reimbursement due date of October 1, 2025.

Eligible Planning Activities

Eligible activities under the HMEP planning grant include, but are not limited to:

• The development, improvement, and implementation of emergency plans as required under the Emergency Preparedness and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA).

• The enhancement of emergency plans including hazards analysis as well as response procedures for emergencies involving transportation of hazardous materials, including radioactive materials.

• An assessment to determine flow patterns of hazardous materials within a state or between one state and another state, territory, or Native American land, including the development and maintenance of a system designed to keep such information current.

• An assessment of local response capabilities.

• Conducting emergency response drills and exercises associated with emergency preparedness plans

• The provision of services of technical staff to support hazardous materials planning efforts (staff funded under planning grants cannot be diverted to support other requirements of EPCRA).

Ineligible Planning Activities

• Anything related to COVID19 or any other viral/bacterial event.

• Expenses not related to hazardous materials planning efforts.

• Expenses claimed and/or reimbursed by another program.

• Expenses counted as match funds toward another program.

• Expenses that supplant existing funds/programs.

• Entertainment costs/ food provided during exercises.

• Costs incurred before October 1, 2024 or after September 30, 2025 of the performance year.

• Any cost disallowed or stated as ineligible in 2 CFR 200.

• Software to manage Title III materials (with the exception of PEAC software).

• Operational equipment for emergency response or COVID19.

• Food and/or refreshments for LEPC meetings, planning meetings, or incident response.