SEC Poised To Mandate Climate Risk Disclosure by Firms

July 15, 2009–Federal regulators may require corporations to assess and reveal how the effects of climate change may impact their financial health.

Toolbox: Homeland Security Daily Infrastructure Report

July 15, 2009–Reporters interested in following the hazards of dams, refineries, chemical plants, pipelines, and other infrastructure may find story leads in DHS reports.

Bills Seek Disclosure of "Fracking" Chemicals That May Threaten Drinking Wells

July 1, 2009–Proposed legislation would repeal a provision allowing secrecy over chemicals injected underground during high-tech gas drilling — such as benzene and toluene, which are known to be toxic.

Coal-Waste Impoundment Database Offers Journalists a Tool

July 1, 2009–A cooperative effort of federal and state agencies, coal companies, and environmental groups, the database lists coal-waste impoundments in West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.

EPA Relents, Releases List of 44 High-Hazard Coal-Ash Ponds

July 1, 2009–FOIA requests and Congressional pressure got the Obama administration to reverse its decision to withhold key information about dangers to communities from coal-ash ponds operated by electric utilities.

High Court To Rule on Whether "Animal Cruelty" Is Exempt From 1st Amendment

July 1, 2009–This case may make it illegal for journalists to cover animal cruelty cases like the Michael Vicks dogfighting prosecution — or even to shoot investigative video of out-of-season fishing.

Rockefeller Introduces Bill To Outlaw Bayer Chem-Secrecy Ruse

July 1, 2009–Rockefeller's bill keeps FOIA exemptions for real security information, but forbids using the "sensitive security information" stamp.

Two Agencies Hide Neglect of Coal-Dam Safety with Secrecy

June 17, 2009–US EPA and Army Corps of Engineers say they "cannot make the list of 'high hazard' coal ash impoundment sites public," even though risk to communities exists -- like the December 2008 pond failure at the Kingston Fossil Plant in Tennessee.

"Crime Scene Cleanup" in Kelly AFB Toxics Case

June 3, 2009–New evidence indicates the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry fails to protect communities from dangers such as the now-disappearing plumes of toxic groundwater carrying cancer-causing chemicals far beyond the Kelly Air Force Base near San Antonio, TX.

FDA Mulls Putting Public's Health Above Companies' Trade Secrets

June 3, 2009–NYT: "The goal is to open up a system in which the agency failed to inform the public that a widely prescribed heartburn drug was especially toxic to babies; that a diabetes medicine and a painkiller increased heart attack risks; and that antidepressants increased suicidal thoughts and behavior in children and teenagers."