RTKNet: The Right-to-Know Network | rtknet.org: The Right-to-Know Network

PROTECTING ACCESS TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

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

Please tell us what you think about the site's new look and features.

News In Brief

EPA Posts List of 44 “High Hazard Potential” Coal Ash Impoundments (Associated Press)

EPA has identified 44 potentially hazardous coal ash dumps in 10 states: AZ, GA, IL, IN, KY, MT, NC, OH, PA, and WV.

(03 Jul 2009)

Purity of Federal 'Organic' Label Is Questioned (Washington Post)

Pressure from large food processors is weakening the USDA organic label.

(03 Jul 2009)

EPA to Study Pesticide Impacts on Endangered Species (San Francisco Chronicle)

The EPA will study the health effects of 74 pesticides on 11 Bay-area endangered species and restrict their use to settle a lawsuit. Public comments are being accepted.

(02 Jul 2009)

Sewage Right-to-Know Bill Passes Senate Committee (Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg)

A bill improving public notification of overflows of raw sewage into waterways passed a Senate committee today.

(18 Jun 2009)

Senator Seeks Greater Disclosure about Chemical Plants (Charleston Daily Mail [WV])

In response to oversecrecy during the investigation of a fatal chemical plant accident, Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) introduced legislation that would prevent inappropriate use of federal secrecy laws.

(17 Jun 2009)

Action Alerts and Campaigns

Commerce Department Proposing Exemptions to Environmental Review Process

The Department of Commerce is seeking public comment on its proposal to create eleven new "categorical exemptions" to the environmental review process set forth by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

(26 May 2009)

RTK Spotlight

"Food, Inc." Exposes Industry Secrets (PBS)

A new film, "Food, Inc.," exposes the secrets and hazards of our industrial food system.

(03 Jul 2009)

New Forum for Toxic Chemical Policy Reform (Environmental Working Group)

A new interactive website provides news, commentary, and a forum for exchanging ideas on reforming federal toxic chemicals policies.

(19 Jun 2009)

EPA Back in The "Fishbowl" (OMB Watch)

The head of the EPA has directed employees to follow principles of transparency in a new memo.

(07 May 2009)

Search for Toxic Releases

This searches Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data. TRI Advanced Search

Cheers and Jeers

Things to applaud...and things to condemn.

EPA Discloses "High Hazard Potential" Coal Ash Sites

EPA has disclosed the locations of 44 "high hazard potential" coal ash dumps at 26 different power plants (canceling the earlier "Jeer" received by EPA for concealing these locations).

(03 Jul 2009)

EPA Hiding Locations of Coal Ash Dumps

[UPDATED] EPA won't disclose the locations of the 44 potentially hazardous coal ash dumps it has identified.

(17 Jun 2009)

USDA to Track Pesticides Again

The USDA will restart some of its agricultural chemical usage surveys after the Bush administration cut their funding. A good step, but the public needs much more information about how much of these chemicals are used by farms (and others). Learn more here.

(20 May 2009)