Blue Sky for TRI?

March 25, 2009–EPA's public release of the latest Toxics Release Inventory data -- and rollback of Bush-era cutbacks on the amount of information chemical companies must report -- may have marked the beginning of a new era for the embattled program.

EPA Inspector General Rips Risk Management Plan Follow-Up

March 25, 2009–A new Office of Inspector General report found many chemical facilities storing large amounts of dangerous chemicals had not filed their required RMPs -- and that EPA was not checking often for compliance.

Leahy, Cornyn Introduce FOIA Exemption-Flagging Bill

March 25, 2009–A new bill would require Congress to explicitly declare when it was creating a new exemption to the Freedom of Information Act in any legislation.

EPA Considers Raising Ethanol Content of Gasoline

March 18, 2009–On March 6 a coalition of major ethanol producers (Growth Energy) formally requested that EPA raise the cap on the amount of ethanol that can be blended into US gasoline. EPA has 270 days to respond.

Feds Revising Bush Offshore Energy Development Plan

March 18, 2009–After years of effort, and despite a last-minute gambit by the outgoing President Bush, US policy for offshore energy development is going back to the drawing board. DOI is extending by six months the public comment period on the country's 5-year plan.

Greenhouse Gases Continue Rise; EPA Proposes Mandatory Reporting

March 18, 2009–Recently released studies show that the problem of ever-increasing GHG emissions in the US could be even worse than the current data indicate, as additional substances are added to the list. A proposed EPA rule may help, if finalized.

USGS To Release Data on Private Well Contaminants

March 18, 2009–USGS is scheduled to release on March 27, 2009, a report on the agency's analysis of 219 contaminants and physical and chemical properties that it investigated in 2,100 private drinking water wells in 48 states.

Commerce Seeks Wildlife Leakers

March 11, 2009–A Bush-appointed holdover inspector general has teamed up with an ultraconservative Senator in a "plumber" operation aimed at punishing agency employees who revealed attempts to gut the Endangered Species Act via "midnight regulations."

Groups Call On EPA To Settle Suit, Restore TRI

March 11, 2009–Hundreds of civic groups and individuals called on EPA March 1, 2009, to restore the Toxics Release Inventory to its former usefulness for informing people of what toxic chemicals companies are releasing into their air, water, and land.

Health Care Journos Call for End to Saddam-Style "Minders"

March 11, 2009–The Association of Health Care Journalists wrote the Obama administration asking it to end the practice of making reporters go through public affairs offices to arrange interviews with federal experts and, in some cases, having public affairs people monitor those interviews.