PROTECTING ACCESS TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

RTKnet: Pollution

Under right-to-know laws, industrial facilities report using and releasing billions of pounds of toxic chemicals. Still greater amounts pass unreported as products and pollution. Find information on tracking chemical use and releases, and on preventing industrial pollution at the source.

Tell EPA How to Clean Up Closed Auto Industry Sites (U.S. EPA)

COMMENT NOW on EPA's blog: What can EPA do to help communities understand the environmental conditions at former auto sector sites? And what can EPA do to help communities revitalize those sites?

(05 Feb 2010)

Coal Ash Action Plans Disclosed (U.S. EPA)

The EPA has disclosed action plans from 22 electric utility facilities to improve the safety of their coal ash impoundments. The following utilities are still hiding critical information as trade secrets: Alabama Power Company, Duke Energy Corporation, First Energy Generation Corporation, Georgia Power Company, Gulf Power Company, and Mississippi Power Company.

(05 Feb 2010)

Public Hearings on Stricter Smog Rule (U.S. EPA)

Three public hearings are scheduled to gather comments on EPA's proposed tighter standards for ground-level ozone - a main component of smog. The hearings are:

  • Feb. 2: Arlington, Va.
  • Feb. 2: Houston, Texas.
  • Feb. 4: Sacramento, Calif.
(29 Jan 2010)

More Monitoring of NO2 in Works (Environment News Service)

EPA is establishing new monitoring requirements in urban areas to measure NO2 levels around major roads and across the community. Monitors must be located near roadways in cities with at least 500,000 residents. However, evidence suggests the OMB interfered with the monitoring requirements.

(29 Jan 2010)

TIPLINE - Report Suspicious Drilling Activities (U.S. EPA)

A new "Eyes on Drilling" tipline created by EPA lets citizens report suspicious activity related to oil and gas development. Call 1-877-919-4EPA or email eyesondrilling@epa.gov. EPA is counting on concerned citizens to report unusual activities related to drilling operations.

(27 Jan 2010)

Dry Cleaning Chemical Linked to Kidney Cancer (Journal of Environmental and Public Health)

A new study supports the hypothesis that living near a dry cleaning facility using the toxic chemical PERC increases the risk of PERC exposure and of developing kidney cancer. This study is the first to demonstrate an association between residential PERC exposure and cancer risk.

(25 Jan 2010)

Lead Monitoring Expansion Proposed (U.S. EPA)

EPA is proposing to require air quality monitoring around sources that emit a half ton or more of lead a year, lowering the current threshold from one ton a year to include more sources. This action is the agency's response to a petition submitted by several environmental and public health groups.

(23 Dec 2009)

EPA Releases 5-Year Water Research Strategy (U.S. EPA)

EPA’s National Water Program published its first strategy identifying the research needed to achieve its goals, meet statutory obligations, and fulfill court mandates. Publishing the strategy aligns with EPA's stated desire for more transparent, collaborative research.

(18 Dec 2009)

EPA Moves on GHG Reporting Rule for Oil and Gas Operations

The EPA has developed a proposed rule to require oil and gas production facilities to monitor and report their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

(17 Dec 2009)

Law Inadequate to Protect Drinking Water (NY Times)

The 35-year-old federal law regulating tap water is so out of date that the water Americans drink can pose what scientists say are serious health risks — and still be legal.

(17 Dec 2009)