RTKnet: Government Performance

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)

BP Lies About Drilling Mud (Mother Jones)

Although outgoing BP CEO Tony Hayward alleged that the mud BP is using to seal the well in the Gulf is not toxic, a congressional investigation has revealed that the mud is a highly toxic chemical mixture containing ethylene glycol and lye. Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA) asserts, "Time and time again, BP has failed to disclose critical data and information that is essential to our ability to track the long term effects of this spill."

(29 Jul 2010)

EPA Puts New Focus on Environmental Justice (CNN)

In a letter to EPA staffers, Administrator Lisa P. Jackson issued interim guidance over the integration of environmental justice into agency decision-making, rule development, and scientific analysis. Jackson stated, "Dirty air, polluted water, and contaminated lands have significant impacts on the health and economic possibilities of the people who live in overburdened communities."
"Toxic Towns USA," part of Dr. Sanjay Gupta's yearlong environmental investigation, re-airs July 31st at 8pm and 11pm and August 1 at 2am EST.

(27 Jul 2010)

House Committee To Hold Hearing On Public Access To Publicly Funded Research (Alliance for Taxpayer@ccess)

The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Information Policy, the Census, and National Archives will hold a public hearing to discuss the potential impact of disclosing the results of more than $60 billion of government funded scientific research, which would be required under the Federal Research Public Access Act (FRPAA). The hearing will be held July 29th at 2:00 pm in Rayburn House Office Building, room 2154.

(27 Jul 2010)

TAKE ACTION: Tell Your 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)

How Safe Are Your Cosmetics? New Bill Wants to Find Out (AOL News)

If passed, the newly introduced Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010 will be the first piece of legislation to give the FDA authority to regulate chemical use in toiletries, including required labelling of all ingredients, which is "even more crucial now as many manufacturers are using nano-sized chemicals such as titanium dioxide in their cosmetic and health products." Currently, industry claims ingredients to be confidential business information, so "it's only the public that's kept in the dark."

(21 Jul 2010)

USDA Launches Ask The Expert (USDA)

USDA launched Ask The Expert, a knowledge-based search engine that holds nearly 2,000 questions and answers for a plethora of USDA programs. According to the Agriculture Secretary, "This exciting new tool is one of the many ways the USDA is working hard to use technology to provide the public with high quality service."

(20 Jul 2010)

Proposed Oil Spill Bill Requires More Disclosure from Frackers (News Inferno)

A new bill, HR3534, which recently passed in the House Natural Resources Committee, would require drilling companies engaged in hydraulic fracturing on federal lands to disclose the chemicals they are using. While the legislation requires drillers to disclose "the chemical constituents of mixtures, Chemical Abstracts Service numbers, and material safety data sheets," they are not required to publicly disclose "proprietary chemical formulas," falling short of what environmentalists want.