PROTECTING ACCESS TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

RTKnet: Advocacy Center

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.

Public Hearings on Stricter Smog Rule (U.S. EPA)

Three public hearings are scheduled to gather comments on EPA's proposed tighter standards for ground-level ozone - a main component of smog. The hearings are:

  • Feb. 2: Arlington, Va.
  • Feb. 2: Houston, Texas.
  • Feb. 4: Sacramento, Calif.
(29 Jan 2010)

Companies To Disclose Toxics In Toys Under New Washington Pilot Program (Washington Toxics Coalition)

Children’s health advocates today applauded the Washington State Department of Ecology’s first-in-the-nation program that will require manufacturers of toys and other children’s products to report whether their products contain certain harmful chemicals.

(28 Jan 2010)

New Bill to Study Risks of Nanotechnology (Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR))

Senators Mark Pryor (D-AR) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) introduced the Nanotechnology Safety Act of 2010, which would establish a program within the FDA to assess the health and safety implications of nanotechnology in everyday products and develop best practices for companies who employ nanotechnology.

(28 Jan 2010)

New SEC Guidance Requires Corporate Disclosure of Climate Change Risks (Investor Network on Climate Risk)

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued new guidance for companies to disclose to investors the "material" risks they face from climate change, such as impacts to the company from new climate legislation, rising ocean levels, extreme weather, and new business opportunities, as well.

(28 Jan 2010)

Investors Call for Disclosure of Drilling Risks (Investor Environmental Health Network)

Shareholders filed resolutions with 12 natural gas companies calling for disclosure of the environmental impacts and risks to company finances caused by the controversial drilling practice known as hydraulic fracturing, as well as to disclose potential policies to reduce risks.

(27 Jan 2010)

TIPLINE - Report Suspicious Drilling Activities (U.S. EPA)

A new "Eyes on Drilling" tipline created by EPA lets citizens report suspicious activity related to oil and gas development. Call 1-877-919-4EPA or email eyesondrilling@epa.gov. EPA is counting on concerned citizens to report unusual activities related to drilling operations.

(27 Jan 2010)

CDC Report Tracks Human Exposure to Toxics (NY Times)

The CDC released its fourth biomonitoring report, the most extensive assessment to date of the exposure of Americans to environmental chemicals. The goal of the research is to determine which chemicals end up in people's bodies and at what concentrations. It is meant to help prioritize scientific work and for policymaking.

(14 Dec 2009)

More Public Participation at EPA (OMB Watch)

The EPA's Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) is expanding public participation this month, launching a new online discussion forum on the EPA's blog and planning a "video town hall discussion" to discuss the Superfund.

(08 Dec 2009)

EPA Releases Analysis of 2008 TRI Data (U.S. EPA)

The EPA released its "National Analysis" of Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data. This is the earliest release and analysis of the data in the history of the TRI program. The "National Analysis" replaces what used to be known as the Public Data Release (PDR). Both the number of facilities reporting and the amount of releases declined in 2008.

(08 Dec 2009)

"Split Estate" Exposes Damage From Gas Drilling (Split Estate)

The new documentary, Split Estate, maps a tragedy in the making, as citizens in the path of a new drilling boom in the Rocky Mountain West struggle against the erosion of their civil liberties, their communities, and their health. The film will air again on Planet Green on January 16 and 17, 2010.

(08 Dec 2009)