Final rule on Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) Program released

• Proposal backtracks on suggested two-year reporting period, but loosens requirements in other areas. Mainstream media largely takes a pass on reporting crucial environmental topic.

WASHINGTON, DC, Dec. 19, 2006 -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency yesterday afternoon announced a final rule (click here release in PDF format) that expands eligibility for TRI reporters to use the Form A Certification Statement in lieu of the more detailed Form R. This rule is intended to encourage shifts from emissions to preferred waste management practices such as recycling.

EPA also announced (click here release in PDF format) that it will maintain annual TRI reporting.

The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) is a publicly available EPA database that contains information on toxic chemical releases and other waste management activities reported annually by certain covered industry groups as well as federal facilities. This inventory was established under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA) and expanded by the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990.

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Also see:
-- "EPA Takes Step to Reduce Burden on Small Business: Reform of Toxics Release Inventory Rule Will Reduce Unnecessary Paperwork, Protect Communities' Right To Know" (U.S. Small Business Administration)
-- "Relax, It's Just Pollution: EPA relaxes industry pollution-reporting rules" (Grist Magazine)
-- "Toxic Disclosure Should be Expanded, Not Scaled Back" (Center for American Progress)
-- "EPA Action Allows Companies to Withhold Information on Toxic Chemicals" (Common Dreams/USPIRG)
-- "EPA drops plan for less frequent toxic release reporting" (The Jurist)
-- "Will the Public Lose its Right to Know About Toxic Releases by Industry?" (Democracy Now!)
-- "EPA Action: Study Pans Agency's Idea to Ease Toxic Waste Reporting" (WaterWorld Online)
-- "EPA Action: As Nation Readies for Hurricane Rita, Agency Proposes Easing Toxic Reporting Rules" (WaterWorld Online)

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