"Trade Secrets" — Largely Untested Grounds for Toxic Secrecy

April 22, 2009–Witnesses at a House Energy Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection hearing in February said excessive and unjustified claims of "confidential business information" dampen EPA's efforts to regulate commonly used chemicals.

EPA Reverses Bush-Era Toxics Release Inventory Blackout

April 22, 2009–A new rule signed by EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson restores cuts in how much data communities can get about nearby industrial releases of toxic substances.

Justice Department Issues New Guidelines on Handling FOIA Requests

April 22, 2009–The guidance was the latest in a series of orders seeking to turn around Bush administration secrecy, although "altering the mind set" might make change more difficult than originally thought.

Toolbox: EPA's Pesticide Emergency Exemptions Database

April 22, 2009–There could be a story breeding behind the emergency pesticide exemptions — which could number in the hundreds — in your state.

House Passes Limited Journalists' Shield Bill

April 8, 2009–The bill passed by the House now goes to the Senate, which had previously failed to act on a similar bill passed by the House in 2007.

Judge Rules That Feedlot Phone-Book Can Be Secret

April 8, 2009–As of March 31, 2009, the Agriculture Department may keep secret the locations and phone numbers of feedlots — however much the public may complain about their smell and the pollution emanating from them.

NIH Open-Access Policy Celebrates 1st Birthday — Will It Make 2nd?

April 8, 2009–A year-old National Institutes of Health policy requiring results of taxpayer-funded research articles to be posted online could be reversed by a bill introduced by Rep. John Conyers, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

WA State Secret Deal on Coal-Plant Emissions Raises Ire

April 8, 2009–Seattle Times lets the cat out of the bag with an April 7, 2009, story describing the secret agreement between the administration of Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire and Canada-based TransAlta.

Consent Decree Forces Regs on Selected Gas and Diesel Engines

April 1, 2009–Restrictions would be placed on many types of stationary diesel and gas-fired engines under a proposed EPA rule.

Energy Dept. Maps, Lists Efficiency Aid for U.S. Cities

April 1, 2009–The Energy Department is listing state and local grant allocations from the stimulus bill on its website. Find out what your area of coverage is slated to receive in aid.