RTKnet: Advocacy Center

PROTECTING ACCESS TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

Citizens have a right to participate in government decision making about public information access policies and strategies. Citizens also have a right to hold the government accountable for enforcing policies requiring public dissemination of information. This section of RTK NET provides citizens with additional tools with which to influence decisions made by the government regarding your health and safety.

Most Personal-Care Products are Toxic (Durango Herald)

According to the Durango Herald, "Most toothpaste, skin lotions, sunscreens, shampoos, conditioners, soaps and cosmetics contain toxic substances you do not want in your body. All of these products also end up in our waterways to affect us a second time when we use the water." More product information is available at the Cosmetic Safety Database.

(10 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)

Coal Ash Story Belies 'Clean Coal' Myth (Associated Press)

The long and dirty story of the fate of the toxic wastes from a Tennessee Valley Authority coal ash spill in 2008 contradicts the idea that coal can be "clean." The story also shows how difficult tracking the fate of such waste can be.

(09 Mar 2010)

EPA Seeks Public Comment on Annual U.S. Greenhouse Gas Inventory (U.S. EPA)

EPA is accepting comments on its most recent inventory of US GHG emissions. The draft report shows overall GHG emissions decreased by 2.9 percent from 2007 to 2008. Total emissions from GHGs were about 6,946 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent. However, emissions have grown by 13.6 percent from 1990 to 2008.

(09 Mar 2010)

Google Maps and EPA Data (Google Maps Mania)

This blog entry highlights some recent uses of EPA data and Google Maps technology, making the data more accessible and easier to understand.

(09 Mar 2010)

White House Wants More Transparency in Monitoring Environmental Impacts (Council on Environmental Quality)

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) wants federal agencies to improve the monitoring of environmental mitigation projects approved under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and greater public involvement in ensuring mitigation efforts work. Public comments on the proposal may be sent to: Mitigation.guidance@ceq.eop.gov, or here.

(03 Mar 2010)

Millions Protected From Toxic Terrorism, Congress Must Act to Protect More (OMB Watch)

More than 40 million Americans are no longer at risk from a poisonous cloud of gas released from a terrorist attack on water treatment plants thanks to process changes at the plants, according to data analyzed by the Center for American Progress (CAP). However, millions more remain at risk and the Senate is poised to take on this issue.

(02 Mar 2010)

Slow Death by Rubber Duck (Washington Post)

"Provocative and groundbreaking, Slow Death by Rubber Duck reveals how the living of daily life creates a toxic soup inside each of us."

(02 Mar 2010)

Public Speaks on Ideas to Open Up Environmental Agencies (OMB Watch)

Environmental agencies are seeking ideas on how to improve transparency, public participation, collaboration, and innovation, and the agencies are receiving numerous suggestions. The challenge for individual agencies is to shape the diverse ideas into the strategies and goals that will comprise their Open Government Plans.

(01 Mar 2010)

EPA Considers Requiring Reporting of Toxic Hydrogen Sulfide (U.S. EPA)

After a 16-year review, EPA is recommending that it begin requiring polluters to report their releases of hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide can be released from factory farms, wastewater treatment plants, oil and gas operations, and other human activities. The public may comment on the proposal here.

(01 Mar 2010)