Fwd: Senator Boxer: Don't Change Toxic Release Reporting

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" U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer " <bulletinfeedback@...> wrote: From:

" U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer " <bulletinfeedback@...>

myhaze@...

Subject: Senator Boxer: Don't Change Toxic Release Reporting

Date: Wed, 14 Dec 2005 00:03:25 -0800

I thought you would be interested in the following message.

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Dear Friend:

Since 1988, the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI), a federal

program established under the Emergency Planning and Community

Right to Know Act, has made it possible for Americans to gain

information about toxic releases on a neighborhood by

neighborhood basis. If you want to know what the factory near

your home or your child’s school uses to manufacture its wares,

you can find out with sufficient detail to make informed

decisions.

Recently, however, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

(EPA) announced a proposal to weaken the program by modifying

the frequency of TRI reporting from annual to bi-annual and by

allowing facilities to withhold details about pollution

volumes, waste management, and treatment when they release less

than 5,000 pounds of toxic chemicals annually. I disagree with

the EPA’s proposal and have significant concerns about the

dangers of weakening the TRI program.

I joined other members of the United States Senate in writing

to EPA Administrator L. urging him to

reconsider the EPA’s decision to weaken this highly effective

program. TRI information proved critical during the response

to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita as first responders relied on

TRI data to pinpoint facilities of highest concern for toxic

releases. TRI data is also widely used by local governments,

public health officials, scientists, and residents. It simply

does not make sense to weaken the effectiveness of this

program.

While the volume of toxic material released annually in the

United States has actually fallen since the annual disclosure

requirement went into effect in 1988, more than 4 billion

pounds of toxic chemicals continue to be released into the

nation’s environment each year. TRI provides vital information

to individuals and families in our communities, as well as to

local governments and others, and you can be assured that I

will work to protect it.

Sincerely,

Barbara Boxer

United States Senator

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