Publication Items

SEJ Joins Amicus Brief on Dangerously Expanded FOIA Exemption [1]

Several media organizations have joined the case of a Puget Sound resident denied information, under the "law enforcement" exemption to FOIA, that would identify the locations and potential blast ranges of explosive ordnance stored in the area.
SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Disasters [3]
Laws & Regulations [4]
Government [5]
Region:
Northwest (OR WA) [6]
Visibility:
Public [7]
- Read more about SEJ Joins Amicus Brief on Dangerously Expanded FOIA Exemption [1]
New Findings Slow CO2 Sequestration Rule [8]

EPA has been working on regulations designed to protect drinking water from impacts of underground carbon sequestration, but new data and concerns have spurred the agency to open a short new public comment period.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [9]
Topics on the Beat:
Climate Change [10]
Energy & Fuel [11]
Laws & Regulations [4]
Government [5]
Region:
National (U.S.) [12]
Visibility:
Public [7]
- Read more about New Findings Slow CO2 Sequestration Rule [8]
Law Allows Astroturf Roots Cover-Up [13]

Current law has no disclosure requirements for fake grass-roots lobbying — such as that of a coal industry campaign to stop climate legislation which sent forged letters to members of Congress, pretending to be from minority and community organizations.
SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Climate Change [10]
Energy & Fuel [11]
Laws & Regulations [4]
Region:
National (U.S.) [12]
Visibility:
Public [7]
- Read more about Law Allows Astroturf Roots Cover-Up [13]
EPA Rule Targets Aircraft Deicing Runoff [14]

A proposed rule for control of fluid-contaminated runoff at primary commercial airports would reduce the substantial threats to drinking water, surface water, air quality, wildlife, plants, and soils at airports and the surrounding areas.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [9]
Topics on the Beat:
Chemicals [15]
Laws & Regulations [4]
Transportation [16]
Government [5]
Region:
National (U.S.) [12]
Visibility:
Public [7]
- Read more about EPA Rule Targets Aircraft Deicing Runoff [14]
More Lead Monitors Coming to a Facility or City Near You? [17]

The Bush Administration, through the OMB, pressured EPA to water down lead monitoring requirements it had tightened in October 2008. Now EPA may get more or all of the monitors it originally wanted, near facilities that emit about a half ton of lead per year.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [9]
Topics on the Beat:
Air [18]
Chemicals [15]
Laws & Regulations [4]
Pollution [19]
Government [5]
Region:
National (U.S.) [12]
Visibility:
Public [7]
- Read more about More Lead Monitors Coming to a Facility or City Near You? [17]
SEJ, J-Groups Urge High Court To Toss Curb on Speech in Wildlife Case [20]

Sloppy legal draftsmanship resulted in a 1999 law that could put journalists and publishers in jail for doing investigative exposés of animal cruelty.
SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Laws & Regulations [4]
Activism [21]
Region:
National (U.S.) [12]
Visibility:
Public [7]
- Read more about SEJ, J-Groups Urge High Court To Toss Curb on Speech in Wildlife Case [20]
Congress Renews Efforts To Reform 19th Century Mining Law [22]

Critics of the US General Mining Act of 1872 are hopeful that the law, which was crafted at a time when the priority was encouraging mining in a largely unsettled West, will finally be revamped.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [9]
Topics on the Beat:
Natural Resources [23]
Laws & Regulations [4]
Region:
National (U.S.) [12]
Visibility:
Public [7]
- Read more about Congress Renews Efforts To Reform 19th Century Mining Law [22]
Battle Over Chemical Facility Security Reignites [24]

The extended deadline for temporary regulations addressing the security of thousands of chemical facilities expires Oct. 4, 2009. If Congress doesn't enact new legislation, business may continue as usual. But there is a possibility that Congress will act this year.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [9]
Topics on the Beat:
Chemicals [15]
Laws & Regulations [4]
Region:
National (U.S.) [12]
Visibility:
Public [7]
- Read more about Battle Over Chemical Facility Security Reignites [24]
In B.C., Freedom of Information May Not Be Free [25]

"Crown copyright" may be emerging in British Columbia as a way for a government claiming openness to subvert freedom-of-information law.
SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Laws & Regulations [4]
Government [5]
Region:
Canada [26]
Visibility:
Public [7]
- Read more about In B.C., Freedom of Information May Not Be Free [25]
SEC Poised To Mandate Climate Risk Disclosure by Firms [27]

Federal regulators may require corporations to assess and reveal how the effects of climate change may impact their financial health.
SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Climate Change [10]
Laws & Regulations [4]
Region:
National (U.S.) [12]
Visibility:
Public [7]
- Read more about SEC Poised To Mandate Climate Risk Disclosure by Firms [27]

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