Drink Up, Dubya

I heard from Clean Water Action yesterday, and I thought I should pass this along:

A few weeks ago we needed your help. Time was running out for people like you to comment on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule changes that would undermine one of the nation's most effective pollution prevention laws. Thousands of Clean Water Action members responded with letters, calls and e-mails that are now part of the overwhelming official record of public support for keeping these toxic protections in place.

The Bush-Cheney Administration's proposals would severely weaken a right-to-know program Clean Water Action fought hard to win back in 1986. Since 1989, companies have had to report the toxics they dump, store or transport and this information has been compiled into the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) - a database meant especially for the public.

The TRI database has helped people know what is going on in their communities and helped first responders like fire departments be prepared for accidents. The spotlight on waste also inspired many companies to change their processes. As a result, many tons of toxic pollution have been eliminated, making for safer, healthier communities and workplaces around the country.

But now, if EPA bureaucrats in this polluter-friendly Administration have their way, many companies would no longer be required to reveal what chemicals they are using or discharging into our air and water.

That is why Clean Water Action's campaign - and your support for it as a Clean Water Action member - are so important. Together with our allies, in environmental, community and public health protection groups, tens of thousands of comments were received by EPA, and committed to the official record, opposing these health-threatening changes. Clean Water Action also helped persuade powerful public officials - state Attorneys General, local health officials, members of state legislatures and others - to weigh in against this proposed rollback in protections.

By law, the EPA is now required to weigh this public input before finalizing any changes. You can bet they will think twice before acting contrary to the huge majority of comments they have received. It may be several months before a final decision is reached. But in the meantime, Clean Water Action would like to thank you for your role in helping to make the case for keeping your environmental rights - your Right to Know about health-threatening toxics - strong and effective.

Thank you again.

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