Welcome to the redesigned Right-to-Know Network, helping advocates push for improved access to government-held information on the environment, health, and safety.
OMB Watch today posted updated information about the risks of serious public harm posed by thousands of chemical facilities nationwide. RTK NET's RMP database is available here.
EPA announced its 2010 Request For Applications (RFA) from entities interested in participating in the Environmental Justice Small Grants Program, which supports communities working on solutions to local environmental and public health issues.
The Energy Department has concluded in an internal audit that it does not properly track whether manufacturers that give their appliances an Energy Star label have met the required specifications for energy efficiency.
Air monitoring found potentially dangerous levels of benzene leaking from natural gas wells. One researcher said, "What I don't think anybody really knows yet is are the levels of these compounds...high enough and have they been in the air long enough to be a potential cancer risk?"
Results of air quality monitoring at schools in 22 states are available online. EPA scientists warn against drawing conclusions at this point since the project is designed to show if long-term, not short-term, exposure poses health risks to children.
EPA has issued the first test orders for seven of 67 pesticide chemicals to be screened for their potential effects on the endocrine system. Atrazine, a widespread water pollutant, is included among the first seven orders.
In a letter to OMB, Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA.) questioned recent OMB instructions to EPA regarding endocrine system disrupting chemicals. "OMB's directive may have the unintended consequence of preventing EPA from obtaining the very information it needs to make informed decisions," said Rep. Markey in his letter. The letter is available here.
A controversial natural gas drilling technique is suspected of contaminating drinking water across the country, but more research cannot be done because the drilling companies won't disclose what toxic chemicals they are pumping into the ground. Congress is now considering legislation that would force drillers to disclose what chemicals they are using, but it needs our support against Big Oil and Gas.
An analysis of TRI data shows industrial facilities dumped 232 million pounds of toxic chemicals into more than 1,900 American waterways in all 50 states during 2007. The report ranks the Ohio River first for toxic discharges, followed by the New River and the Mississippi River.
EPA has opened a new public forum on the agency's blog to gather ideas for a new TRI reporting rule for metal mines. Comments will be received through November 25, 2009.
The EPA has completed its "Early Release" of raw TRI data for 2008. With this latest update, the data set is complete. The agency plans to release its National Analysis of the data sometime in December 2009.
The coal industry is not disclosing the full extent of its lobbying expenses on federal disclosure forms, instead exploiting a legal loophole by failing to report "AstroTurf" campaigns. Big Coal's actions highlight the need for greater lobbying disclosure.
It took a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to get it, but EPA released a more complete list of locations and other data on toxic coal ash dump sites nationwide.
The U.S. House passed the Clean Coastal Environment and Public Health Act to speed up public notification of dangerous beach water pollution. A similar bill passed a Senate committee in June. The bill also authorizes more grant money for states to improve water quality.