PROTECTING ACCESS TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

Welcome to the redesigned Right-to-Know Network, helping advocates push for improved access to government-held information on the environment, health, and safety.

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News In Brief

California Proposes Adding Two Chemicals To Prop 65 List (OEHHA)

California has proposed adding two toxics to its Proposition 65 list of toxic substances. The state proposes adding acrylamide as a reproductive toxicant and the pesticide metam potassium as a carcinogen.

(10 Mar 2010)

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)

EPA Announces New Action to Prevent Coal Ash Releases (U.S. EPA)

EPA will collect information from electric utilities on the structural integrity of their coal ash impoundments and conduct on-site assessments. According to EPA, "The assessment and analysis of all such units located at electric utilities in the U.S. will be compiled in a report and made available to the public." The actions are in response to the 2008 coal ash spill in Tennessee.

(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)

Groups Push For Safety Information for Workers (Center for Progressive Reform)

At a recent public hearing, OSHA heard testimony from the Center for Progressive Reform and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility opposing a proposed change that would limit the amount of information on chemical hazards available to workers.

(08 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)

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Action Alerts and Campaigns

Help Strengthen America's Toxic Chemicals Standards

Please take action to support legislation to protect our families from dangerous toxic chemicals.

(19 Nov 2009)

TAKE ACTION – Tell Congress to Force Disclosure of Toxic Drilling Chemicals

A controversial natural gas drilling technique is suspected of contaminating drinking water across the country, but more research cannot be done because the drilling companies won't disclose what toxic chemicals they are pumping into the ground. Congress is now considering legislation that would force drillers to disclose what chemicals they are using, but it needs our support against Big Oil and Gas.

(17 Sep 2009)

Bush Administration Pushes for Secrecy in Transportation

A multi-billion dollar transportation bill (H.R. 3550) currently before Congress would grant the government new authority to withhold transportation information that it considers to be "sensitive security information."
(01 Jul 2004)

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