Although the number of Americans who have access to computers and the Internet has increased greatly in the last year, the "digital divide" between information and communication "haves" and "have-nots" is still growing. The barriers to information and technology access remain high for rural communities. Regardless of income level, Americans living in rural areas are lagging behind in Internet access.

According to government officials in both the executive and legislative branches, there is a growing concern among businesses that information businesses want to be able to share with government about vulnerabilities in the nation's critical infrastructure will not be held confidential by the government once it is in the government's hands. "Critical Infrastructure" and Vulnerabilities

HR 4246, the "Cyber Security Information Act" is the first volley coming from a push by industry over the last year or two to carve out an exemption to the Freedom of Information Act. The bill reflects the concerns of industry to protect information about vulnerabilities from those who would use or exploit that information. What The Bill Does The bill creates five new definitions and a new FOIA exemption. Definitions

Section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act requires the creation of Risk Management Plans to address prevention of chemical accidents. In particular, chemical facilities must identify and assess their chemical hazards and carry out certain activities designed to reduce the likelihood and severity of chemical releases. The law requires this information to be available to the public. According to EPA, “Using this information citizens will have the opportunity to work with industry to reduce risks to the community from chemical accidents.”