Searchable archives of the biweekly WatchDog TipSheet's story ideas, articles, updates, events and other information with a focus on freedom-of-information issues of concern to environmental journalists in both the U.S. and Canada are posted here on the day of publication. Includes a database of State FOI Resources and Actions. Journalists are eligible for a free email subscription; send name and full contact information to the SEJ office. WatchDog TipSheet is also available via RSS feed. 
Latest WatchDog TipSheet Items
January 27, 2010
01/27/2010 – This includes three new datasets from EPA, PLUS many other datasets relevant to environmental issues, released in response to a Dec. 8, 2009, White House open government order.Data.gov: 100s of New Fed Datasets Released, Many Environmental
01/27/2010 – Companies of all kinds face the prospect of major costs or losses as they face a future of unknown risks and uncertain regulations — and you are provided an environmental reporting opportunity.Environmental Disclosure a High-Stakes Issue for Corporations
01/27/2010 – In a historic step forward, EPA's proposed rule would require disclosure of ALL pesticide ingredients — which has not been required for decades.EPA Moves for Disclosure of Pesticide "Inert" Ingredients
01/27/2010 – But apparently confidentiality claims will only be rejected in cases where the chemicals have already been disclosed in the Toxic Substances Control Act inventory.EPA Takes Some Trade Secret Wraps off of Chemical IdentityJanuary 13, 2010
01/13/2010 – Washington Post reporter Lyndsey Layton writes about the thousands of chemicals exempted from EPA screening for potential harm to the environment and public health — and the three-decades-old Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) that renders it possible, in the interest of protecting manufacturers' bottom lines.20% of Chemicals in Commerce Claim To Be 'Trade Secrets'
01/13/2010 – A handy research tool for investigative reporters is a full list of all the recent Environmental Impact Statements issued by the Department of Energy.DOE Lists Its Environmental Impact Statements Online
01/13/2010 – Secrecy News reports the NRC, responding to a Dec. 2009 White House OMB directive, has asked the public what information it should post online and how else it might improve transparency and collaboration with the public.Nuclear Regulatory Commission Calls for Input on Openness
01/13/2010 – Sunlight Foundation took the raw data of White House visitor logs, matched the names to those in OpenSecrets.org, FollowTheMoney.org, LittleSis.org, Google and Wikipedia, and created a searchable online database.Sunlight Tool Makes Tracking White House Visitors Easier
01/13/2010 – Katharine Jacobs, chair of the forthcoming National Academy of Sciences report on Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change and a professor at the University of Arizona, will head up the effort to reinstate the National Assessment — with new emphasis on adaptation.White House Moves To Reinstate Bush-Suppressed Climate Reports
01/13/2010 – After an October 2009 EPA proposal to regulate coal ash, documents show coal industry officials started meeting with OMB's Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, and soon EPA announced it was postponing proposal of the coal-ash regulation.Will Off-Record White House Meetings with Coal Lobby Stifle Ash Regs?
