EPA's Proposes Cut-Backs on Toxics Reporting

Changes Will Reduce Information Available to RTK NET Users

On October 4, EPA proposed to dramatically reduce the amount of data it will require facilities to submit to the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). EPA has proposed to:

• Move from the current annual reporting requirement to every other year reporting for all facilities, eliminating half of all TRI data;
  
• Allow companies to release ten times as much pollution (raising thresholds from 500 to 5,000 lbs.) before being required to report the details of how much toxic pollution was produced and where it went;
  
• Permit facilities to withhold information on low-level production of persistent bioacculuative toxins (PBTs), including lead and mercury.
  

RTK NET made the 2003 TRI data available to users on May 12, 2005. TRI is by far the most used of RTK NET's environmental databases, informing people about toxic chemicals in their local communities, states, regions, and the entire nation. However, these EPA proposals would dramatically cut information that RTK NET can provide its users. The agency claims that these rollbacks are part of efforts to reduce the paperwork burden on companies.

It is important that EPA and Congress hear from RTK NET users. Together, we can help defend your access to TRI data. EPA is accepting public comments on the proposals for at least 60 days. Click here to read EPA's proposal in detail, and please consider taking action by following these 3 steps:

1 - Send comments to the EPA (make sure to reference 'Docket ID No. TRI-2005-0073'). Substantive, individualized comments are most effective. To send comments:

• Online: at http://www.regulations.gov and search for keyword 'toxics release inventory' then select EPA-HQ-TRI-2005-0073.
  
• E-mail: oei.docket@epa.gov -or- fax 202–566–0741.
  
• Mail: Office of Environmental Information (OEI) Docket,
  Environmental Protection Agency,
  Mail Code: 28221T,
  1200 Pennsylvania Ave.,NW.,
  Washington, DC 20460.
  Attention: Docket ID No. TRI–2005–0073.
  
• If you would like to use our prepared action alert, which you can personalize with your own words, click here.

2 - Call your U.S. Senators and Representative and complain about EPA's plan. Congress needs to know that people use this information. Ask them to contact Senator Jefford's (VT) office, who is leading efforts in Congress to stop the proposals.

3 - Contact us at (202) 234-8494 or gsorvalis@ombwatch.org so we can list you as one of the people concerned.