EPA plan to cut toxic release reporting spurs strong protest
Americans appear to overwhelmingly oppose the Environmental Protection Agency's plans to cut back on toxic release reporting by industrial polluters, according to a new report from OMB Watch, a Washington-based nonprofit that promotes open government. The EPA has proposed relaxing reporting requirements in order to ease the paperwork for companies that release toxic pollution to the environment.
Titled "Against the Public's Will," OMB's report documents opposition to EPA's plans from 23 state governments and more than 120,000 average citizens, 60 members of Congress, 30 public health organizations, 40 labor organizations, and 200 environmental and public-interest groups.
Among those expressing opposition to the proposal was Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen McGinty, who argued that "the proposed rulemaking would not ensure that the state and local agencies and the general public would have access to vital information needed for the assessment of exposure to air toxics."
"This is a clear case of the agency disregarding the will of the American people," says Sean Moulton, director of federal information policy for OMB Watch. "The EPA has no scientific or health data supporting the changes they want to make -- nothing to assure the public will still be safe. Instead, the agency is just interested in saving polluting companies a few dollars, at the possible expense of public health."
According to OMB Watch’s analysis, EPA received comments from 122,420 individuals and groups. The vast majority of those commenting -- 122,386 or 99.97 percent -- opposed the changes. Only 34 commenters or 0.03 percent expressed support for the proposals. This support came almost entirely from companies and industry associations, with a few government agencies and individuals voicing partial support.
If you'd like to weigh in on EPA's proposal, OMB Watch makes it easy by providing a form on its Web site to send a letter to the agency administrator as well as your representatives in Congress.
Titled "Against the Public's Will," OMB's report documents opposition to EPA's plans from 23 state governments and more than 120,000 average citizens, 60 members of Congress, 30 public health organizations, 40 labor organizations, and 200 environmental and public-interest groups.
Among those expressing opposition to the proposal was Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen McGinty, who argued that "the proposed rulemaking would not ensure that the state and local agencies and the general public would have access to vital information needed for the assessment of exposure to air toxics."
"This is a clear case of the agency disregarding the will of the American people," says Sean Moulton, director of federal information policy for OMB Watch. "The EPA has no scientific or health data supporting the changes they want to make -- nothing to assure the public will still be safe. Instead, the agency is just interested in saving polluting companies a few dollars, at the possible expense of public health."
According to OMB Watch’s analysis, EPA received comments from 122,420 individuals and groups. The vast majority of those commenting -- 122,386 or 99.97 percent -- opposed the changes. Only 34 commenters or 0.03 percent expressed support for the proposals. This support came almost entirely from companies and industry associations, with a few government agencies and individuals voicing partial support.
If you'd like to weigh in on EPA's proposal, OMB Watch makes it easy by providing a form on its Web site to send a letter to the agency administrator as well as your representatives in Congress.
posted by Sue Sturgis at
2:16 PM
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