Thursday, November 20, 2003

Toolbox: EPA's ECHO Database Thriving on 1st Birthday Environmental reporters will want to make sure they check out EPA's online ECHO database -- which gives the public information on whether just about any facility in the country is complying with its EPA permit. It is the starting point for tons of local stories. And in an era of information rollback, it is a public-access success story. Search Page. EPA Press Release. 10:51:05 PM

Ohio Renews Audit Privilege Law Ohio's legislature renewed the state's expiring environmental audit privilege and immunity law furtively Nov. 14, 2003. Such laws, which exist in many states, allegedly try to encourage companies to review and correct their own environmental violations by shielding them from disclosure or prosecution. Ohio's legislature did the controversial deed without holding hearings or bringing it up as a bill. "Ohio Lawmakers Extend Pollution Immunity Bill, Stealth Amendment Slipped into ‘Gas Drive-off’ Law," Toledo Blade (Columbus Bureau), Nov. 15, 2003.  Full Story. 7:55:44 PM

"Feds Opposing Bush on Environment Afraid to Speak Out"  Los Angeles Times, Nov. 14, 2003, by Elizabeth Shogren. Cheap stunt or suppression of dissent? Two National Park Service offer anti-administration views at National Press Club -- sporting dark shades and voice disguisers. Full Story. 7:18:14 PM

Does Secrecy Hamper Preparedness? "Strides Made in Readiness, Officials Say," Louisville Courier-Journal, Nov. 12, 2003, By JAMES BRUGGERS, <jbruggers@courier-journal.com> Louisville-area agencies have made strides since 9/11 in preparing for terrorist attacks via WMD -- but tightened secrecy has made it hard to know whether the public is any safer. Full Story. 1:11:40 PM