EPA tries to ease chemical disclosure rules

[Viking12]

Yet another slap in citizen's faces on behalf of 'Murica Inc....

A federal proposal to relax pollution reporting rules would mean that several dozen Minnesota companies would no longer need to file detailed annual reports about hazardous chemicals they use or emit, according to Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) officials.
The change would be a "significant step backwards" because it would deprive neighborhood groups, local officials and others of their right to know about chemicals and possible hazards in their communities, Cathy Moeger, an MPCA manager told the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this month.

"Recent environmental disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina, have highlighted the importance of having as complete a picture as possible of the various toxic chemicals in manufacturing and other industrial facilities that can be released in the event of a natural disaster," Moeger wrote.

http://www.startribune.com/462/story/185194.html