PROTECTING ACCESS TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

RTK Spotlight

EPA Seeks to Enhance Public Access to Chemical Data (OMB Watch)

The EPA has proposed several changes to its regulation of chemicals that should improve the public's access to crucial information. The improved data collected under the proposed rule will help the agency and the public identify potential chemical risks and take action to manage those risks.

(20 Aug 2010)

Tell EPA How to Protect Drinking Water (U.S. EPA)

The EPA is launching a web-based discussion forum to gather public input on how the agency can improve protection of drinking water. The information will be used in implementing EPA’s new drinking water strategy announced by Administrator Lisa P. Jackson in March. To join the discussion: http://blog.epa.gov/dwstrat. There will also be a listening session August 19, in Rancho Cucamonga, CA

(17 Aug 2010)

TAKE ACTION - Tell Congress to Support Research on Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals (The Endocrine Disruption Exchange)

A growing pandemic of endocrine-related disorders, such as ADHD, Parkinsons, Alzheimers, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, early puberty, infertility and other reproductive disorders, and childhood and adult cancers, is seriously undermining the health and wealth of our nation. TAKE ACTION and demand greater research to identify endocrine disrupting chemicals and determine their safety.

(03 Aug 2010)

EPA Pushing TRI Data Out to Public with New Tools, Earliest Data Release Ever (OMB Watch)

The EPA has released the preliminary 2009 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data, the earliest data release in the history of the program. In addition, new tools help the public use the data: a mobile device application, myRight-to-Know, and a searchable database of chemical hazard data, TRI-CHIP.

(30 Jul 2010)

TAKE ACTION: Tell Congress to Label Genetically Modified Foods! (Grassroots Network)

The Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act (HR 5577) calls for the labeling of genetically engineered food, which may negatively impact health. Potential risks of consuming genetically engineered food include birth defects, sterility, and "horizontal gene transfer," among other adverse effects. Contact your representative here, and defend your right to know!

(22 Jul 2010)

Sen. Lautenberg Introduces Bills to Protect Chemical and Water Plants Nationwide (Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ))

Sen. Lautenberg (D-NJ) introduced the Secure Water Facilities Act and the Secure Chemical Facilities Act, which will "close a gap that leaves millions of families vulnerable to an attack on America's chemical plants and water treatment facilities." According to Lautenberg, this legislation will "ensure a thorough review of risk, and help us move toward more secure plants and safer communities."

(15 Jul 2010)

TAKE ACTION - Tell Your Representatives To Support the FRAC Act (Food & Water Watch)

Companies that are threatening our drinking water with hydraulic fracturing can't be held accountable under the Safe Drinking Water Act, and they don't have to disclose the 596 chemicals that they are injecting into the ground. Ask your representative to close the loophole and require companies to disclose the chemicals they are using by passing the FRAC Act.

(15 Jul 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)

New Online Mapping Tool for Oil Spill Data (Unified Command for the BP Oil Spill)

Described as a "one-stop shop for detailed near-real-time information about the response to the Deepwater Horizon BP oil spill," NOAA has launched a new website: www.geoplatform.gov/gulfresponse/, that provides an interactive map incorporating data from the various agencies responding to the spill.

(16 Jun 2010)

Spreading the Word on the Oil Spill (Federal Computer Week)

"Federal agencies are employing their Web sites and social media tools to release emergency response and health information about the leak from BP’s Deepwater Horizon rig off the coast of New Orleans." Tools include an EPA webpage, a NOAA website, a Facebook page, and Twitter.

(05 May 2010)

What Do YOU Want? (OMB Watch)

We’d like to hear your thoughts and priorities regarding improved access to environmental information. Please take this brief survey and let us know what is most important to YOU. You can access the survey at http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22AGT9V3K2B.

(22 Apr 2010)

EPA's Pollution Right-to-Know Program Revived From 10-year Coma (OMB Watch)

After more than ten years in deep freeze, the EPA is now proposing steps to revitalize the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) – the bedrock public right-to-know program that tracks toxic pollution from thousands of businesses. EPA wants to add 16 new chemicals and lift a "stay" on the reporting of another.

(19 Apr 2010)

Toxic Chemical Reform Bill Now in Senate (Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ))

Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today announced legislation to overhaul the “Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976” (TSCA). The new legislation will give EPA more power to regulate the use of dangerous chemicals and require manufacturers to submit information proving the safety of every chemical. The bill creates open access to reliable chemical information and establishes a public database to catalog the information submitted.

(15 Apr 2010)

EPA's New HERO Defends the Public's Right to Know (OMB Watch)

The EPA recently launched a new online database that provides access to the scientific studies used in making key regulatory decisions. The EPA released the Health and Environmental Research Online (HERO) database on March 24.

(09 Apr 2010)

TAKE ACTION - Ask EPA to support real toxics reform! (Safer Chemicals Healthy Families)

Legislation is now being drafted in Congress to reform TSCA. It is critical that EPA support the strongest version of this legislation, one that includes taking swift action on chemicals we already know to be dangerous. We need you to take action today, to help put EPA on the right path for protecting kids and families. Let your voice be heard!

(06 Apr 2010)

Tell EPA How to Improve Land Revitalization Efforts (U.S. EPA)

The Solid Waste office at EPA has posted their newest question of the month: How can EPA improve and expand on land revitalization efforts? Submit your ideas to the EPA blog. Previous blog discussions can be read here.

(01 Apr 2010)

EPA Solid Waste Office Holding Video Town Hall (U.S. EPA)

EPA's Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Reponse (OSWER) will be holding a video town hall discussion on March 30, 2010 from 2:00-2:45 PM ET. The topic of the discussion is effective land use. EPA wants to know what you think about EPA’s land use policies. What role do you see EPA playing in land reuse? How can land cleanup contribute to effective reuse? To join in, go here.

(26 Mar 2010)

EPA Initiates Hydraulic Fracturing Study: Agency Seeks Input From SAB (U.S. EPA)

The EPA is beginning a study of the dangers posed by the natural gas drilling process known as hydraulic fracturing, which has been linked to the contamination of surface and drinking water nationwide. A committee of the agency's Science Advisory Board (SAB) will hold a public meeting to consider the design of the study April 7 and 8 in Washington, DC.

(18 Mar 2010)

TAKE ACTION - Tell Your Senators We Need Chemical Security Now (Greenpeace)

Did you know that the Department of Homeland Security has identified over 6,000 "high-risk" chemical plants in the United States? An accident or attack at just 300 of them would put 110 million Americans at risk. Take action and tell your Senators to prevent a real horror. Congress must pass strong chemical security legislation now, before the weak temporary law expires.

(16 Mar 2010)

White House Seeks More Transparent Environmental Reviews (OMB Watch)

The Obama administration has proposed new guidance intended to increase transparency and public involvement in the implementation of one of the nation's oldest and most important environmental laws, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

(09 Mar 2010)