PROTECTING ACCESS TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

RTKnet: Access Policies & Tools

Numerous tools are available for citizens to learn about threats to public health in our communities and nationwide and how our government is responding to environmental challenges.

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 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)

EPA Releases Searchable Website for Drinking Water Violations (U.S. EPA)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced improvements to the availability and usability of drinking water data in the Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) tool. ECHO now allows the public to search to see whether drinking water in their community met the standards required under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), which is designed to safeguard the nation’s drinking water and protect people’s health.

(24 May 2011)

EPA Suspends Chemical Reporting (OMB Watch)

On May 11, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suspended the next submission period for the Toxic Substances Control Act's (TSCA) Inventory Update Reporting (IUR). The IUR is an inventory of chemical substances in commerce in the United States. The suspension came a month after the agency received complaints from House Republicans and the chemical industry about difficulties complying with new reporting requirements.

(24 May 2011)

More than 100 Organizations Make Environmental Right-to-Know Recommendations to Obama Administration (OMB Watch)

On May 10, on behalf of more than 100 public interest organizations, OMB Watch presented a set of detailed environmental right-to-know recommendations to the Obama administration.

(24 May 2011)