PROTECTING ACCESS TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

Welcome to the redesigned Right-to-Know Network, helping advocates push for improved access to government-held information on the environment, health, and safety.

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News In Brief

EPA Initiates Hydraulic Fracturing Study: Agency Seeks Input From SAB (U.S. EPA)

The EPA is beginning a study of the dangers posed by the natural gas drilling process known as hydraulic fracturing, which has been linked to the contamination of surface and drinking water nationwide. A committee of the agency's Science Advisory Board (SAB) will hold a public meeting to consider the design of the study April 7 and 8 in Washington, DC.

(18 Mar 2010)

Air Hugger Blog to Publicize Air Pollution and Name Corporate 'Villains' (PR Newswire)

Global Community Monitor is launching a new blog to expose common fallacies about what is in the air we breathe and to call to task the corporations that threaten it. Positioning itself as common-sense voice for communities living next to industrial facilities, the Air Hugger is unique in the blog world.

(17 Mar 2010)

Obama Administration Divided on Public Right-to-Know About Chemicals (Environment News Service)

While the EPA moves toward greater transparency regarding chemical information, OSHA seems to be moving backward, proposing to reduce the amount of chemical information available to workers.

(16 Mar 2010)

TAKE ACTION - Tell Your Senators We Need Chemical Security Now (Greenpeace)

Did you know that the Department of Homeland Security has identified over 6,000 "high-risk" chemical plants in the United States? An accident or attack at just 300 of them would put 110 million Americans at risk. Take action and tell your Senators to prevent a real horror. Congress must pass strong chemical security legislation now, before the weak temporary law expires.

(16 Mar 2010)

Bit by Bit, EPA Opening Up Toxics Program (OMB Watch)

The EPA has announced it is taking another small step increasing transparency by providing free access to a key database that lists every chemical in commerce. Well…almost every chemical.

(15 Mar 2010)

California Proposes Adding Two Chemicals To Prop 65 List (OEHHA)

California has proposed adding two toxics to its Proposition 65 list of toxic substances. The state proposes adding acrylamide as a reproductive toxicant and the pesticide metam potassium as a carcinogen.

(10 Mar 2010)

Most Personal-Care Products are Toxic (Durango Herald)

According to the Durango Herald, "Most toothpaste, skin lotions, sunscreens, shampoos, conditioners, soaps and cosmetics contain toxic substances you do not want in your body. All of these products also end up in our waterways to affect us a second time when we use the water." More product information is available at the Cosmetic Safety Database.

(10 Mar 2010)

White House Seeks More Transparent Environmental Reviews (OMB Watch)

The Obama administration has proposed new guidance intended to increase transparency and public involvement in the implementation of one of the nation's oldest and most important environmental laws, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

(09 Mar 2010)

EPA Announces New Action to Prevent Coal Ash Releases (U.S. EPA)

EPA will collect information from electric utilities on the structural integrity of their coal ash impoundments and conduct on-site assessments. According to EPA, "The assessment and analysis of all such units located at electric utilities in the U.S. will be compiled in a report and made available to the public." The actions are in response to the 2008 coal ash spill in Tennessee.

(09 Mar 2010)

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Action Alerts and Campaigns

Help Strengthen America's Toxic Chemicals Standards

Please take action to support legislation to protect our families from dangerous toxic chemicals.

(19 Nov 2009)

TAKE ACTION – Tell Congress to Force Disclosure of Toxic Drilling Chemicals

A controversial natural gas drilling technique is suspected of contaminating drinking water across the country, but more research cannot be done because the drilling companies won't disclose what toxic chemicals they are pumping into the ground. Congress is now considering legislation that would force drillers to disclose what chemicals they are using, but it needs our support against Big Oil and Gas.

(17 Sep 2009)

Bush Administration Pushes for Secrecy in Transportation

A multi-billion dollar transportation bill (H.R. 3550) currently before Congress would grant the government new authority to withhold transportation information that it considers to be "sensitive security information."
(02 Jul 2004)

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