PROTECTING ACCESS TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

News in Brief

EPA Relies on Industry-Backed Studies to Determine Safety of Weed Killer (The Huffington Post)

The EPA is publishing studies of the health effects of the pesticide Atrazine in drinking water that have been funded by companies with financial interest in the weed-killer. Many of these studies, which allege that the pesticide has minimal health risks, have not been scrutinized by independent scientists.

(09 Jul 2010)

EPA Proposes Trade Secrets Protections for GHG Reports (EPA)

The EPA is seeking public comment on their  national greenhouse gas reporting program  to determine which industry-related greenhouse gas information should be made public and which non-emission data should be entitled to confidential treatment. The agency is now requiring underground coal mines, industrial water treatment systems, industrial waste landfills, and magnesium production facilities to report their emissions. The EPA is planning to provide data to the public by March 2011.

(09 Jul 2010)

EPA Asks for Public Comment on Administrator Jackson's Draft Plan (EPA)

The EPA is seeking public comment on Administrator Lisa P. Jackson's draft strategic plan, which will help to advance her priorities, describes the environmental and health benefits the public can expect over the next five years, and explains how the EPA plans to achieve those goals. For the first time, the EPA is using a discussion forum to solicit feedback on the strategic plan.

(08 Jul 2010)

EPA Launches A Collaborative Web Site for Integrative Environmental Modeling (EPA)

The EPA has launched the Integrative Modeling Hub (iemHUB), which allows environmental researchers to combine models after analyzing environmental problems to develop a better understanding of the environment. According to the EPA's Office of Research and Development, iemHUB "will advance our ability to predict the impacts of our actions on the environment."

(08 Jul 2010)

EPA Seeks Employee Participation in Chemical Safety Inspections (EPA)

The EPA has released interim guidance that will allow employees and employee representatives to participate in chemical safety inspections, increasing transparency in the inspection process. The EPA is requiring state and local agencies to adopt a similar procedure under the Risk Management Program (RMP). Worker safety advocates have long sought enforcement of this feature of the Clean Air Act.

(08 Jul 2010)

Administration Launches Oil Spill Response Website (deepwaterhorizonresponse.com)

National Incident Commander Admiral Thad Allen announced the launch of RestoreTheGulf.gov, a website dedicated to improving public access to information about the Deepwater Horizon oil spill response and recovery. According to Allen, the web site "will provide even greater transparency and openness about the BP oil spill." The Unified Area Command's current website, www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com, will be phased out over the coming weeks as information there is moved to RestoreTheGulf.gov.

(07 Jul 2010)

Obama Administration Holds America's Great Oudoors Listening Session (EPA)

Obama administration top officials are holding a listening session tomorrow, July 8, in accordance with the America's Great Outdoors Initiative. The goal of the session is to hear the public's  ideas for creating a conservation and recreation agenda and reconnecting Americans to the oudoors.

(07 Jul 2010)

'Climategate' Inquiry Mostly Vindicates Scientists (Washington Post)

A third independent investigation into the leak of hundreds of e-mails from the University of East Anglia's climate research centers has "largely vindicated the scientists involved, saying they acted honestly and that their research was reliable...'We find that their rigor and honesty as scientists are not in doubt,' [Panel head] Russell said. 'But we do find that there has been a consistent pattern of failing to display the proper degree of openness.'" The other two investigations also supported the scientists' research findings.

(07 Jul 2010)

While the Media Is Sandbagged, Is Sand Dumped Over Oil? (Huffington Post)

The Coast Guard recently instated a 65-foot rule between observers and the clean up site in the Gulf of Mexico that is punishable by a $40,000 fine, blocking media access to he site. Without direct access to the site, reporters are beginning to speculate if workers are dumping sand on the shores of Grand Isle, Louisiana to simply cover the oil rather than properly clean it up.

(02 Jul 2010)

Minnesota Department of Health Lists Chemicals of High Concern (Minnesota Public Radio)

The Minnesota Department of Health released a list of 1755 hazardous substances used in consumer products and industrial processes. "The list doesn't consider how often people are exposed to the chemical or the risk of exposure" because there is limited access to toxicity information. The Health Department may use the list to increase public awareness or other organizations might point to the list to inform consumers.

(02 Jul 2010)

Louisina Police Are Working for BP (Mother Jones)

The ACLU has given Louisiana police a warning after they stopped members of the public from filming at sites impacted by the Deepwater Horizon spill on behalf of BP. "No one...has the legal right to interfere with public access to public places or the recording of activities that occur there. Nor may law enforcement officials cooperate with private companies in denying such access to the public."

(01 Jul 2010)

Louisiana Governor Won't Disclose Oil Spill Records (New York Times)

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal vetoed an amendment to a state bill that would have given the public access to all records from his office regarding the Deepwater Horizon spill. Gov. Jindal alleged that “Such access could impair the state’s legal position both in responding to the disaster that is unfolding and in seeking remedies for economic injury and natural resource damage.”

(01 Jul 2010)

Health of Exxon Valdez Clean-Up Workers Never Studied (McClatchy)

More than 20 years after the Exxon Valdez spill, scientistists are unaware of the long-term health effects that the thousands of workers in the Gulf may face. Also startling, BP is not taking note of the majority of workers' complaints of illness. An Anchorage lawyer asserted the need for a study of workers' health with recorded links between illness and oil exposure. "If you're the oil industry, you may or may not have this data. Lord knows, you're not going to want to publish it."

(30 Jun 2010)

Potentially Harmful Chemicals Used in Pennsylvania Drilling (New York Times)

Chemicals being used to drill natural gas wells in Pennsylvania are linked to neurological problems, cancer, and other health problems. Using data from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the Associated Press hopes to release a full list of gas drilling chemicals used in Pennsylvania online. Environmental advocates are concerned that these chemicals are polluting their drinking water and harming their health.

(29 Jun 2010)

Data Reveal Colorado Oil Spills Exceed 5 Million Gallons (denverpost.com)

Using a state database of industry reports of oil spills, the Denver Post reveals that there have been nearly 1,000 oil spills in the past 2 1/2 years in Colorado, totaling approximately 5.2 million gallons, or nearly half of the oil released from the Exxon Valdez spill. The National Wildlife Federation asserts, "It's about the public's right to know and what's going into the streams and aquifers around the state."

(28 Jun 2010)

Flawed Emergency Response Plans Endemic in the Gulf (Dallas Morning News)

Oil companies drilling off the coast of Texas at depths far greater than BP's Deepwater Horizon are relying on similarly inadequate emergency response plans. Evidently, "the Minerals Management Service has not increased its scrutiny when companies sought to drill at extreme depths."

(28 Jun 2010)

BP Continues to Use Surface Dispersants Despite Directive (NY Times)

BP is still applying dispersant Corexit 9500 to the surface of the Gulf even after the EPA issued a directive ordering the company to desist. Scientists are concerned about the dispersant's impact on marine life and the health of workers who are exposed to the chemical daily. 

(25 Jun 2010)

Strong Votes on Hydraulic Fracturing Send Clear Message to Natural Gas Drillers (Green Century Funds)

Oil and gas investors are urging companies to increase disclosure of the potential risks connected to hydraulic fracturing operations through shareholder proposals. According to environmentally focused investment advisory firm Green Century Capital Management, "There is investor demand for improved transparency around environmental and business risks associated with [hydraulic fracturing] and...more clarity is needed on company practices to minimize them."

(24 Jun 2010)

EPA is Asking for Commentary on Their "Fracking" Study (EPA)

The EPA is conducting a study to determine the impact of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water, public health, and the ecosystems surrounding “fracking” sites. In July and August, the EPA is hosting public meetings across the country seeking stakeholders' input. Meetings will be: 

  • July 8, Fortworth, TX
  • July 13, Denver, CO
  • July 22, Canonsburg, PA
  • August 12, Binghamton, NY
(23 Jun 2010)

Louisiana Police Pull Over Activist at Request of BP (Mother Jones)

Louisiana police continue to restrict media coverage of the BP spill cleanup despite government directives. Mother Jones reports that Louisiana police are collaborating with BP to prevent citizens' access to information. An environmental activist was filming near the Deepwater Horizon response command building when a police officer asserted that "BP doesn't want any filming" and strongly suggested he "get lost."

(22 Jun 2010)