Citizen Health & Safety

Center for Effective Government Applauds New Executive Order to Rein in Government Contractors with History of Labor Violations

"We applaud the new executive order requiring that federal agencies consider the record of labor violations of companies competing for federal contracts. For too long, companies with a long history of substantial violations of labor law have continued to be awarded profitable government contracts while treating employees abysmally and violating the law. Congress's investigative arm, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), has reported that billions of dollars in taxpayer monies are annually awarded to companies that routinely violate our labor standards."

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Americans Enjoy Major Benefits from Public Health, Safety, Environmental Protections, New Study Finds

WASHINGTON, July 30, 2014—A new study released today by the Center for Effective Government adds to an expanding body of evidence demonstrating that public health, safety, and environmental protections provide significant, important benefits to the American people. These standards improve our nation's quality of life and public confidence in American products and businesses.

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The Benefits of Public Protections: Ten Rules That Save Lives and Protect the Environment

This report examines the public health, worker safety, and environmental benefits projected from ten proposed or final rules issued between 2009 and 2014 by five federal agencies (the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Food and Drug Administration, and Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service). These rules range from reducing toxic air pollutants from power plants and other large industrial sources, to reducing workers’ exposure to disease-causing silica, and to making vehicles safer.

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Report Finds Flaws in Small Business Advocacy Office

Jul 28, 2014 by Katie Weatherford

According to a recent report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy has failed to develop and implement procedures necessary to ensure the office is effectively carrying out its mission of representing small businesses before federal agencies.  

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EPA Requests Public Comments on Chemical Safety Standards

Jul 25, 2014 by Amanda Starbuck

On July 24, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a preview of its Request for Information (RFI) on revisions to its Risk Management Program, which tracks information and requires disaster prevention plans from potentially risky chemical facilities.

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Lifting the Ban on Crude Oil Exports Troubling in Light of Recent Rail Catastrophes

Jul 21, 2014 by Katie Weatherford

What do fracking, recent rail car explosions, and international trade have in common? A volatile light crude oil called "condensate."

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Protesters Urge Agency to Stop Fracked Gas Exports

Jul 17, 2014 by Zach St. Louis

On July 13, over 1,000 protestors marched from the U.S. Capitol to the doors of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). They urged the agency to reject a proposal to construct a liquefied natural gas export terminal in Lusby, Maryland, which is just 60 miles south of the White House.

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Senate Bill Would Ensure Negligent Corporate Officials Are Held Accountable

Jul 16, 2014 by Ronald White

On July 16, Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Bob Casey (D-PA), and Tom Harkin (D-IA) introduced the Hide No Harm Act. The legislation would require corporate officers to disclose to employees, federal officials, and the public information and warnings about serious dangers associated with product defects or unsafe work practices. Currently, criminal fines and imprisonment are rarely imposed on individual corporate executives who have knowingly concealed such crucial information, but this bill would ensure that those personally responsible for decisions leading to serious injuries or deaths are held criminally accountable.

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Congress's Latest Assault on the EPA

Jul 14, 2014 by Ronald White

On July 9, Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) introduced H.R. 5034, the Stop the EPA Act of 2014. Incorporating the worst aspects of previous attempts to undermine the ability of federal agencies to address needed public protections, this bill would require a joint resolution of congressional approval for any standard developed by the U.S.

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Yet Another Chemical Plant Fire in Texas Underscores the Importance of Disclosure

Jul 11, 2014 by Amanda Starbuck

On July 7, a fire broke out at a Chevron Phillips chemical plant in Port Arthur, Texas injuring two workers and frightening neighbors in the largely residential neighborhood. While the cause of the fire is still being determined, the incident highlights the danger posed by facilities that store large amounts of chemicals and the importance of providing the public with information on chemical threats in their communities. 

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