PROTECTING ACCESS TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

Welcome to the Right-to-Know Network, helping advocates push for improved access to government-held information on the environment, health, and safety.

News In Brief

EPA Releases Formerly Confidential Chemical Information

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is making available to the public hundreds of studies on chemicals that had been treated as confidential business information (CBI). The move is part of EPA's plan to make public the chemicals that are not entitled to CBI status. Releasing the data will expand the public’s access to critical health and safety information on chemicals that are manufactured and processed in the U.S. Newly available information can be found using EPA’s Chemical Data Access Tool.

(30 Nov 2011)

TRI Industry Sectors Expansion (EPA)

EPA invites public insight on a variety of topics related to EPA plans to potentially expand the scope of sectors covered by the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Program. Learn more

(16 Nov 2011)

Senate Passes Bill to Improve Pipeline Safety and Increase Public Access to Information (OMB Watch)

On Oct. 17, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bill to strengthen safety standards and increase public availability of inspection results and enforcement actions related to the nation’s 2.3 million miles of pipelines. The legislation was sparked by a series of deadly explosions in 2010 and 2011 that drew scrutiny to the safety of gas and oil pipelines.

(16 Nov 2011)

EPA Launches New Mapping Tool to Improve Public Access to Enforcement Information

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the release of a new mapping feature in EPA’s Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) database. As part of EPA’s ongoing effort to improve transparency, the EPA and State Enforcement Actions Map will allow the public to access federal and state enforcement information in an interactive format and to compare enforcement action information by state. The map will be refreshed monthly to include up to date information about the enforcement actions taken to address violations of air, water, and waste laws.

(12 Oct 2011)

EPA launches electronic GHG reporting tool (EPA)

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is launching a new tool to allow 28 industrial sectors to submit their 2010 greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution data electronically. Prior to being finalized, more than1,000 stakeholders, including industry associations, states and NGOs tested the electronic GHG Reporting Tool (e-GGRT) to ensure clarity and user-friendliness.

(01 Sep 2011)

EPA Publishes Rule to Improve Reporting of Chemical Information (EPA)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is increasing the type and amount of information it collects on commercial chemicals from chemical manufacturers, allowing the Agency to better identify and manage potential risks to Americans’ health and the environment. The improved rule, known as the chemical data reporting Rule (CDR), also requires that companies submit the information electronically to EPA, rather than on paper, and limits confidentiality claims by companies. The changes are part of EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson’s commitment to strengthen the agency’s chemical management program and increase the transparency of critical information on chemicals.

(18 Aug 2011)

EPA Proposes New Expansions to the Toxics Release Inventory Program (OMB Watch)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced its plans to expand the industry sectors required to report to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) program and to require electronic reporting for all TRI data. These steps are part of EPA's ongoing efforts to improve and reinvigorate the TRI program.

(18 Jul 2011)

EPA Improves Access to Information on Hundreds of Chemicals (EPA)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making it easier to find data about chemicals. EPA is releasing two databases — the Toxicity Forecaster database (ToxCastDB) and a database of chemical exposure studies (ExpoCastDB) — that scientists and the public can use to access chemical toxicity and exposure data.

(16 Jun 2011)

EPA Removes Confidentiality Claims for More Than 150 Chemicals (EPA)

In order to ensure the public has as much information as possible about the health and the environmental impacts of chemicals, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has made public the identities of more than 150 chemicals contained in 104 health and safety studies that had been claimed confidential by industry. Today’s announcement is another in a series of unprecedented actions that EPA is taking to provide the public with greater access to information on the chemicals that are manufactured and used in the United States.

(15 Jun 2011)

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Action Alerts and Campaigns

Help Strengthen America's Toxic Chemicals Standards

Please take action to support legislation to protect our families from dangerous toxic chemicals.

(19 Nov 2009)

TAKE ACTION – Tell Congress to Force Disclosure of Toxic Drilling Chemicals

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.

(17 Sep 2009)

Bush Administration Pushes for Secrecy in Transportation

A multi-billion dollar transportation bill (H.R. 3550) currently before Congress would grant the government new authority to withhold transportation information that it considers to be "sensitive security information."
(01 Jul 2004)

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