U.S. EPA recently announced that it is in the process of developing new electronic tools to utilize the data collected by its Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) to better focus its enforcement efforts. According to Steven Knizner, acting director of U.S. EPA's TRI Program Division, U.S. EPA's TRI program "is not just about releases but what is being done to prevent releases." U.S. EPA's TRI program covers more than 650 chemicals and requires that chemical manufacturers report releases of listed chemicals into the environment (including permitted releases).
These new electronic tools are intended to assist U.S. EPA in evaluating reported TRI data and identify reporting violations and/or allow US. EPA to prioritize its enforcement activities in particular regions or industries. We will continue to report on U.S. EPA's efforts with respect to its TRI program and these new electronic tools.