Toxics Release Inventory (TRI)
Petition Seeks Information on Toxic Fracking Emissions
Oct 24, 2012 by Sofia Plagakis
Today, OMB Watch and 16 local, regional, and national organizations filed a petition under the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI), calling on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to require the oil and gas industry – including companies engaged in fracking – to report their toxic emissions. Such reporting would provide EPA with more information on the identity, use, and quantity of chemicals used by the oil and gas industry and would help the agency evaluate their health and environmental risks.
read in fullEPA Withdraws TRI Clarification Rule That Would Protect Public Health
Jun 24, 2011 by Cassandra Lovejoy*
Last Friday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) withdrew from consideration a final rule that clarified exemptions to its Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) reporting requirement. The articles exemption clarification was being reviewed by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), the last step before it could be finalized and published in the Federal Register. The OIRA review process is not made available to the public, so it is impossible to tell what caused EPA to pull the rule.
read in fullEPA Analysis Shines New Light on Toxic Pollution
Dec 20, 2010 by Brian Turnbaugh*
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released an expanded and enhanced "National Analysis" of the 2009 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data. The National Analysis examines trends in toxic pollution and waste generation from thousands of facilities nationwide. This year, EPA has added several new features and new analyses that help the public track pollution and identify the biggest polluting companies. The improved National Analysis is another positive step in a series of actions EPA has taken to strengthen the TRI program.
read in fullEPA Expands Toxic Right-to-Know Program
Dec 1, 2010 by Brian Turnbaugh*
For the first time since 1999, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has added chemicals to the list of toxic substances that must be reported to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI). The TRI program tracks toxic pollution from thousands of facilities nationwide. The move is an overdue step in the right direction for this crucial right-to-know program and represents a welcome break from the previous administration's attempts to weaken TRI.
read in fullEPA Pushing Pollution Data Out to Public with New Tools, Earliest TRI Release Ever
Jul 30, 2010 by Brian Turnbaugh*
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this week released the preliminary 2009 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data, the earliest data release in the history of the program. The TRI program tracks toxic pollution from thousands of facilities nationwide and is considered one of the most successful environmental programs and a cornerstone of environmental right to know. The preliminary data are now available for the public to download and analyze, maintaining TRI as a vital tool for holding businesses accountable for their pollution and driving changes to prevent pollution.
read in fullPollution and Justice 101
Apr 30, 2010 by Brian Turnbaugh*
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be conducting a webinar to instruct the public on how to use the pollution information in the agency's Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) to support environmental justice efforts. In addition to teaching the basics about TRI, the webinar will feature real life examples of how communities have used TRI to address environmental justice concerns. We have encouraged EPA to reach out to the public and publicize the data and tools the agency provides; this webinar is an excellent opportunity for any citizen or public interest group to learn about a very valuable advocacy tool at their disposal.
read in fullEPA's Pollution Right-to-Know Program Revived From 10-year Coma
Apr 19, 2010 by Brian Turnbaugh*
After more than ten years in deep freeze, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is now proposing steps to revitalize the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) – the bedrock public right-to-know program that tracks toxic pollution from thousands of businesses. Two recent EPA proposals would expand the number of chemicals reported to the program. This would be the first expansion since 1999. The proposals are small but important steps forward. However, EPA must do much more to boost the usefulness of this vital program.
read in fullU.S. Waters Still Toxic Dump Sites
Oct 28, 2009
A new report from Environment America uncovers a dirty truth in publicly available government databases about the country’s waterways – widespread toxic pollution dumped by industrial facilities. More than 230 million pounds of toxics were discharged into 1,900 waterways across all 50 states in 2007, including chemicals known to cause cancer and birth defects.
read in fullEPA Releases Toxics Data Early
Aug 19, 2009 by Brian Turnbaugh*
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released the most recent Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data several months earlier than usual. The early release of 2008 data represents a concrete action taken by the new EPA leadership to improve transparency following numerous pronouncements calling for such actions. The TRI database tracks releases and transfers of more than 650 toxic chemicals by facilities nationwide.
read in fullRedesigned Right-to-Know Website Now Live
May 5, 2009 by Brian Turnbaugh*
The newly redesigned Right-to-Know Network (RTK NET) website is up and running.
Interested in what toxic chemicals are being released into your town's air and water? Need information on how much hazardous waste is generated at the plant down the street? Want to know what events are impacting your right to know about environmental threats?
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