It's not all bad news. There is a lot of useful government information that is freely available to journalists and the public online. Here are 10 examples from EPA that can be the building blocks of great stories.

• Envirofacts: A central access point for EPA databases on polluters and pollution.
• Surf Your Watershed: Allows you to look up your local watershed and learn about threats to drinking water.
• ECHO Database: Look up your local companies and find out whether they are bad actors when it comes to pollution (Enforcement & Compliance History Online).
• Toxics Release Inventory: Tells you what toxic substances are coming across the fenceline of your local factory (TRI).
• Facility Registry System: Look up all local industrial facilities that may be polluting your community — or not.
• AirData Reports & Maps: Specialized reports on specific air pollution in your locality.
• Comment on Regulations (and other public participation): A comprehensive resource for watching what EPA is up to at the national, state, or local level.
• Subscribe to Topic-Specific Notifications: EPA has scores of listserves and e-mail alerts, which you can tailor according to your own subject interests: Get Updates on Regulatory Information and Email Subscriptions.
• Daily News Feed of EPA Items in Federal Register (GAO): Saves you the work of buying, looking up, and scanning the Federal Register each day if you are only interested in EPA matters.
• Searchable Database of EPA Grants: While some SEJers say "Follow the manure-spreader," reporters wanting to "Follow the money" will get help from this tool. For both grants and contracts, try here.