EPA Proposes Reducing Information on Toxics Release

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Tue, 01 Nov 2005 14:24:08 GMT

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EPA Proposes Reducing Information on Toxics Release

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Nov 1, 2005 | Back Issues

 

EPA Proposes Reducing Information on Toxics Release

 

The Environmental Protection Agency has announced plans to

significantly roll back reporting of toxic pollution under the

agency's Toxics Release Inventory (TRI). The TRI program, which tracks

the amount of toxic chemicals manufacturing facilities release into

the environment, has been a widely used measurement for protecting

public health and the environment.

 

According to EPA's own data, the simple act of reporting and

disclosing these releases has prompted corporations to cut toxic

pollution nearly in half. Despite this success, EPA is proposing to

significantly roll back the program's reporting requirements in order

to reduce the paperwork burden on corporations.

 

The reporting changes have met with strong opposition from community

groups, public interest watchdogs and members of Congress.

 

Senator James Jeffords, ranking member of the Senate Environment

Committee, said " This proposal would deny communities up-to-date

information about local toxic releases, reduce incentives to minimize

the generation of toxic waste and undermine the ability of public

health agencies and researchers to identify important trends. " [1]

 

The EPA has proposed three changes in TRI reporting:

 

* Move from the current annual reporting to every other year

reporting for all facilities, essentially eliminating half of the TRI

program.

* Allow companies to release 10 times as much pollution (raising

the reporting threshold from 500 pounds to 5,000 pounds) before

requiring them to report on how much pollution was produced and where

it went.

* Allow facilities to withhold information on low-level production

of persistent bioaccumulative toxins (PBTs), including lead and

mercury, which are dangerous even in very small quantities because

they are toxic, persist in the environment, and build up in people's

bodies.

 

Sean Moulton, senior policy analyst at OMB Watch, a nonprofit

government accountability group, opposes the reporting changes. " The

EPA wants to help corporations hide toxic pollution. TRI is supposed

to be about protecting and informing communities. These proposals put

companies first and communities last, " said Moulton.

 

Local community groups that rely on the TRI data have also criticized

EPA's proposals. " The proposed changes water down a tool that is vital

to the fight for healthier communities, " says Eboni Cochrane, a

community activist working on air quality issues in Louisville. " Our

group used the Toxics Release Inventory to pinpoint specific

facilities that were releasing hazardous pollutants in the air, and

helped us convince the city to pass a better air pollution program. "

 

EPA defends the proposals, claiming they " will provide meaningful

burden reduction while still maintaining the value of the TRI

information. " [2] Kim Nelson, EPA's Chief Information Officer, says

the alternate year reporting will allow the agency to save money which

could be used to improve TRI analysis done by EPA. [3]

 

" That makes as much sense as selling your engine so you can pay to

paint your car, " responds Moulton. " The most important part of TRI is

the annual information; it's the engine that has driven toxic

pollution down. "

 

EPA has already published a rulemaking on the two threshold reporting

changes. A 60-day public comment period has begun. As required by law,

EPA informed Congress of its intention to switch to every other year

reporting and must now wait one year before beginning a rule on that

issue.

 

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TAKE ACTION

Tell EPA and Congress to keep the TRI program intact through an alert

provided by OMB Watch.

http://ga3.org/ct/-pzkGk91Lm45/

 

###

 

SOURCES:

[1] " Sen. Jeffords' Response to EPA Proposal to Modify Toxic Release

Inventory Program, " Press Release, September 21, 2005.

[2] Toxics Release Inventory Burden Reduction Proposed Rule, EPA,

October 4, 2005.

[3] Kim Nelson's September 21 letter to Congress

 

 

 

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