EPA Backtracks on Easing Toxin Rule

[cal04]

Under pressure from Democratic senators, the Bush administration has modified its proposal to ease public reporting requirements for companies that handle or release toxic chemicals.

The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed new rules for the Toxics Release Inventory, an annual accounting of more than 650 chemicals that industry releases into the air, land and water. The changes would raise the threshold for reporting releases of toxic chemicals in detail from 500 to 5,000 pounds and would allow companies to report every other year instead of annually.

In response, New Jersey Democratic senators Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez in July blocked confirmation of Bush's nominee to head the EPA's Office of Environmental Information, Molly O'Neill.

EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson, in a letter obtained by The Washington Post, has written to the two senators telling them that he is revising the proposal to restore the requirement for annual reports. "Your perspective on the program is invaluable to us," Johnson wrote.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/29/AR2006112901306.html

[fairfaxvadem]

1. Gee, a reprieve from state sanctioned poisoning.

Lucky us.

[hatrack]

2. Good thing they arrived at this decision on the scientific merits alone!

Oh? Really?

Never mind.