EPA, Interior, DOE, USDA and others now provide "clearing points" intended to engage the public in their efforts for greater public transparency, participation, and collaboration, and in development of an "Open Government Plan."

A court case involving a 1971 NY law may force manufacturers to make public unlisted toxic chemicals in products like stain remover, dish soap and laundry detergent. The cleanser industry says the action is "unwarranted, and that fears about health risks are misinformed," according to the AP.

An Online Quill article by David Cuillier offers advice from William Ury, co-founder of Harvard’s Program on Negotiation and co-author of “Getting to Yes,” to effectively help reporters move from defeatism to successful disclosure.

Disclosure of 22 electric-utility plans for handling coal-ash waste is a good start... but EPA also released the identities of some 40 more — previously undisclosed — scary ash impoundments.

Journalism groups, including key organizer American Society of News Editors, will honor individuals whose open-government work in 2009 has made their communities better places to live.