Senators
object to EPA plan to halve frequency of toxics inventory
Nov. 15Six senators have sent a letter to
the head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency expressing concern
about proposed changes to the Toxic Release Inventory program.
The senators - four Democrats, one independent and one Republican -
are concerned about the EPA´s plan to change the frequency of TRI
reporting by businesses to once every two years from the current once
per year.
"We are concerned that alternate-year reporting would deny citizens
up-to-date information about local toxic releases, reduce incentives to
minimize waste generation, withhold important information from public
health agencies, and undermine the ability of states and EPA to guide
their compliance assistance and enforcement priorities," the senators
wrote to agency Administrator Stephen Johnson.
The EPA unveiled plans two months ago to adopt the change, saying
alternate-year reporting would reduce burdens on businesses and the
agency. The federal government would save money by cutting the number of
annual TRI reports filed with the agency, and the taxpayer dollars could
be redirected to improve the quality and accessibility of TRI
information, according to the agency.
In their letter to Johnson dated Nov. 10, the six senators questioned
the benefits of the change, saying widely available software makes the
reporting tasks easier and less expensive.
Facilities that manufacture, process or otherwise use hazardous
chemicals in quantities exceeding established thresholds must file TRI
reports with the agency disclosing the amount and types of chemicals on
their premises and the amounts released into the environment.
The senators also expressed concern about a proposal to allow
thousands of facilities to withhold details about pollution volumes, and
waste management and treatment if they release less than 5,000 pounds of
toxic chemicals.
The letter to Johnson was signed by Sens. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif.;
Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.; Barack Obama, D-Ill.; Ron Wyden, D-Ore.; Jim
Jeffords, I-Vt.; and John McCain, R-Ariz.
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