Local Governments Reimbursement Program - Past Awards
In the event of a release (or threatened release) of hazardous substances, EPA may reimburse local governments for expenses related to the release and associated emergency response measures. The Local Governments Reimbursement (LGR) Program provides a "safety net" of up to $25,000 per incident to local governments that do not have funds available to pay for response actions.
Success Stories
Calloway County, Kentucky – Mercury Spill
A commotion broke out at East Calloway Middle School in early November 2006 after a student accidentally released mercury on a school bus and proceeded to contaminate school grounds. Students, teachers and staff were inspected for contamination and a contractor was called to assist with the cleanup and decontamination of the school. Calloway County, Kentucky incurred close to $50,000 in expenses related to this response. Since students were the responsible party and did not have the means to pay for the incident, the LGR Program provided Calloway County with a full award of $25,000 which the County applied to contractor costs associated with the incident. (Application 1472)
Wahpeton, North Dakota – Chemical Fire
In the early morning hours of February 18, 2008, members of the Wahpeton, North Dakota Fire Department arrived on the scene of a large industrial fire at a chemical plating plant. It took several hours for firefighters to battle the blaze, contain the fire and secure the scene. Responding to the fire cost the City of Wahpeton nearly $45,000 which Wahpeton was unable to recover from the facility or other potential sources. In an attempt to determine how to pay for this unexpected incident, Wahpeton learned about the LGR Program and applied for reimbursement. The City received a full award of $25,000 which helped cover the costs of materials and equipment damaged or destroyed during the response. (Application 1492)
Gadsden, Alabama – Hazardous Materials Response
On a cold morning in March 2008, the Gadsden–Etowah County Emergency Management Agency in Alabama received a call from the City of Gadsden's Public Works Department alerting them about an illegal chemical dump. Local HazMat were called and responded to the scene where they secured the area and assisted with the cleanup and decontamination of the site. Unable to locate the responsible party, Gadsden incurred over $36,000 in expenses related to the response. As a result, the City had to draw upon unbudgeted funds to pay for the incident. The LGR Program provided a full award of $25,000 to the City of Gadsden which the City applied to contractor costs associated with the response. (Application 1495)
Wichita, Kansas – Hazardous Materials Response
Late evening, May 24, 2009 – a cook sat in his kitchen mixing up a batch of methamphetamine. Given his lack of chemistry skills, something went terribly wrong and flames burst out in his home. Wichita, Kansas first responders arrived on the scene, contained the fire and secured the site. Although the responsible party was charged with manufacturing the drug, he was uninsured and unable to pay the response costs. As a result, the LGR Program provided the City of Wichita with a full award of $2,036.83 to help pay for materials and overtime costs. (Application 1521)