Publication Items

Tracking Trash? There's an App for That [1]

MIT researchers have been using custom-made sensors planted on trash in New York City, Seattle, and London to track the circuitous route that trash takes each day. Similar efforts are planned for other cities.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Waste [3]
Technology [4]
Region:
National (U.S.) [5]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Tracking Trash? There's an App for That [1]
Senate Dents Shield Law for Reporters [7]

A de facto filibuster by several Republicans, plus quibbling by some Democrats, caused a long-awaited markup of bill S 448 to end with no action.
SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [8]
Topics on the Beat:
Laws & Regulations [9]
Government [10]
Journalism & Media [11]
Region:
National (U.S.) [5]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Senate Dents Shield Law for Reporters [7]
Coal Ash Data Waiting for Local Reporters [12]

Use this roundup of sources to write a probing story about the ash, slag, and sludge from coal-burning electric utilities — which containins heavy metals that can pollute water, and even bury people's houses.
SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [8]
Topics on the Beat:
Chemicals [13]
Disasters [14]
Energy & Fuel [15]
Pollution [16]
Government [10]
Region:
National (U.S.) [5]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Coal Ash Data Waiting for Local Reporters [12]
Tapping the "Fishbowl" — Is EPA Doing Some Things Right on FOI? [17]

OMB Watch, a fierce FOI advocacy group, says EPA has been working hard to push hitherto restricted data out to the public, citing the earliest-ever release of TRI data, monitoring data on atrazine in water, and more.
SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [8]
Topics on the Beat:
Government [10]
Journalism & Media [11]
Region:
National (U.S.) [5]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Tapping the "Fishbowl" — Is EPA Doing Some Things Right on FOI? [17]
SEJ Joins Amicus Brief on Dangerously Expanded FOIA Exemption [18]

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 [8]
Topics on the Beat:
Disasters [14]
Laws & Regulations [9]
Government [10]
Region:
Northwest (OR WA) [19]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about SEJ Joins Amicus Brief on Dangerously Expanded FOIA Exemption [18]
Sept. 27 PBS Show To Focus on National Parks [20]

There are scads of good stories in parks. Find one near you, and check out Ken Burns' 6-part, 12-hour documentary, along with the scheduled pre-screenings and press events.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Natural Resources [21]
Journalism & Media [11]
Region:
National (U.S.) [5]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Sept. 27 PBS Show To Focus on National Parks [20]
EPA Expands Energy Conservation Push with Churches [22]

The estimated 370,000 houses of worship in the US could reduce energy consumption as much as 30%, so EPA is offering incentives, resources, and tools as encouragement.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Energy & Fuel [15]
Government [10]
People & Population [23]
Region:
National (U.S.) [5]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about EPA Expands Energy Conservation Push with Churches [22]
New Findings Slow CO2 Sequestration Rule [24]

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 [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Climate Change [25]
Energy & Fuel [15]
Laws & Regulations [9]
Government [10]
Region:
National (U.S.) [5]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about New Findings Slow CO2 Sequestration Rule [24]
Coal and Water – Do They Mix? [26]

Journalists around the US who cover water quality, as well as those who cover coal mining and/or Appalachia, will benefit from an analytical NYT series and databases, combined with a Sept. 11 EPA announcement about extended NPDES permit reviews.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Energy & Fuel [15]
Pollution [16]
Water & Oceans [27]
Government [10]
Region:
National (U.S.) [5]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Coal and Water – Do They Mix? [26]
Could Smart Meters Allow Privacy Invasion? [28]

The Philadelphia Inquirer explores the implications of an electric meter that knows when you are sleeping, when you are awake, and a lot more besides.
SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [8]
Topics on the Beat:
Energy & Fuel [15]
Government [10]
People & Population [23]
Region:
National (U.S.) [5]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Could Smart Meters Allow Privacy Invasion? [28]

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