Environmental Right to Know | Center for Effective Government

Politics Plays Prominent in Government Denial of Service Attack on Itself

Late in the evening on Wednesday, February 16, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) without any warning shut down its Internet services, including its web site and email services. The public, which monthly racks up millions of visits on EPA's web site, could not access EPA's web site (www.epa.gov), and there has been no way to communicate via email with EPA employees. Rep. Thomas J. Bliley (R-VA), who chairs the powerful House Commerce Committee, has been conducting a McCarthy-like campaign against "cyber-terrorism." Instead of Red-baiting,

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Proposed Rule Blocks Public Right To Know about Chemical Accident Scenarios

A rule proposed jointly by the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Justice today would block the public's right to know about potential chemical accident worst case scenarios in communities across the United States. A public hearing is scheduled for May 9 in Washington, DC and public comments on the proposed rule are due on June 8, 2000. The text of the proposed rule, along with the EPA and Justice Department assessments that formed the basis of this rule (totaling over 200 pages) can be found at: www.epa.gov/ceppo/whatnew.html Background

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Citizen's Platform Lays Out Proactive Right-To-Know Agenda

An OMB Watch report released this week highlights key gaps in government efforts to meet the public's right to know about environmental and human health threats. "A Citizen's Platform for the Environmental Right-To-Know" lays out fundamental right-to-know principles, key issues and a right-to-know action plan for EPA in 2001.

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OMB Watch Testifies on EPA Science Bill

OMB Watch Testimony on EPA Science Bill (3/29/2001):

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Ignorance is Toxic Bliss: The Secret War on Our Right-To-Know

A Report by Clean Water Fund Contact: Lynn Thorp (202) 895-0420 Mineral Policy Center Contact: Alan Septoff (202) 887-1872 OMB Watch Contact: Rick Blum (202) 234-8494 U.S. Public Interest Research Group Contact: Jeremiah Baumann (202) 546-9707 Working Group on Community Right To Know Contact:Paul Orum (202) 544-9586

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Groups Say Toxic Pollution Data Make the Case to Stop Environmental Rollbacks

Report Outlines Attacks on Public Right-To-Know For More Information, Contact: Jeremiah Baumann, U.S. PIRG, 202-546-9707 Alan Septoff, Mineral Policy Center, 202-887-1872 Rick Blum, OMB Watch, 202-234-8494 Paul Orum, Working Group on CRTK, 202-544-9586

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Bush Leaves Alone Lead Reporting Requirements

The Bush Administration today annouced it will let stand new reporting requirements on lead emmissions. Today was the deadline for Bush to step in and block the new rule from going into effect. The Administration's decision marks a departure from its recent actions to kill or delay important regulations protecting the environment, consumers, and worker health and safety.

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Attack on Risk Management Plans

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.”

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Benefits of Chemical Information Should not be Forgotten

Following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, EPA moved quickly to restrict public access to data on chemical facilities, fearing that it could be used by terrorists to zero in on a potential target. The agency is currently evaluating whether to repost this information to its web site, and according to EPA officials, is nearing a decision on the matter.

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