Top Kill Operation Succeeds in Killing Much of BP's Credibility

June 2, 2010–US EPA withheld information, and twice during the five-day operation BP cut off the mud pumps for long periods without letting the public know, making statements that left the impression the operation was ongoing.

Gulf Dispersants Called Trade Secret

May 5, 2010–The exact ingredients of the chemical mixture being sprayed on and pumped into the spreading BP oil spill are secret, even though some are rated toxic and may endanger the health of Gulf residents and ecosystems.

Mines in 21 States Outed for Habitual Safety Violations

April 28, 2010–The 48 mines are also linked by the fact that most of their owners have been legally delaying action on the violations through appeals of the citations. The Mine Safety and Health Administration is faced with a backlog of approximately 16,000 appeals.

Local Officials, Residents, in Dark on Nearby Hazardous Rail Cargoes

April 21, 2010–Sixty-two U.S. urban areas are threatened by hazardous rail cargoes, but federal agencies still refuse to let many firefighters, governments, and citizens know the rail routes used to transport cargoes that could kill tens or hundreds of thousands.

Massey Mine Disaster Raises Openness Issues

April 21, 2010–Several journalists have raised questions about why more was not known publicly about the safety defects that led to the deaths of 29 miners at Massey's Upper Big Branch Mine in April 2010.

More Than 550 Utilities Now Using Potentially Safer Chemicals

March 17, 2010–The plants, ranging from very large to very small, are now using chemicals and processes such as liquid chlorine bleach, calcium hypochlorite, or ultraviolet light — allegedly making ~40 million people living nearby safer.

Coal Ash Data Waiting for Local Reporters

September 23, 2009–Use this roundup of sources to write a probing story about the ash, slag, and sludge from coal-burning electric utilities — which containins heavy metals that can pollute water, and even bury people's houses.

SEJ Joins Amicus Brief on Dangerously Expanded FOIA Exemption

September 23, 2009–Several media organizations have joined the case of a Puget Sound resident denied information, under the "law enforcement" exemption to FOIA, that would identify the locations and potential blast ranges of explosive ordnance stored in the area.

EPA Releases All Responses to Coal Ash Survey

September 9, 2009–The data, from hundreds of facilities in 35 states, provide reporters the raw material for hundreds of local stories.

Is Your Community Ready for Hurricane Season?

August 19, 2009–SEJ has prepared a list of resources which may be helpful to reporters doing before, during and after-hurricane stories.