DEQ-CFW_00051424

From: Holman, Sheila [/O=NCMAIL/OU=EXCHANGE ADMINISTRATIVE GROUP
(FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/CN=RECIPIENTS/CN=SHEILA.HOLMAN]
Sent: 11/3/2011 9:54:20 AM
To: Mather, Tom [/O=NCMAIL/OU=EXCHANGE ADMINISTRATIVE GROUP
(FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/CN=RECIPIENTS/CN=Tom.mather]; Abraczinskas, Michael [/O=NCMAIL/OU=EXCHANGE
ADMINISTRATIVE GROUP (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/CN=RECIPIENTS/CN=Michael.abraczinskas]
Subject: Fw: NPR Expected to Run Air Toxics Series
Attachments: CAA Sept 2011 Watch List Post.pdf; RCRA Sept 2011 Watch List Post.pdf; CWA Sept 2011 Watch List Post.pdf; NPR
CPI Watchlist Background from EPA.docx
17
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Subject:PR " Expected to Run Air Toxics
ECOS Members,
In follow up to yesterday's email about the Watch List, I am writing to provide you with a "heads -up" on some
expected press related to the Watch List and to give you some additional information from EPA. Attached is
a two page summary from EPA along with a Watch List Fact Sheet which they are using to educate people
about the Watch List.
The quick summary is that EPA believes, based on the FOIA requests and press inquiries they have gotten, that
NPR along with the Center for Public Integrity will be running an 8-10 part series on Clean Air Act "toxic hot
spots" starting next week. In addition to these national stories, they expect some local affiliates to run
companion stories with a local focus.
Reporters have spoken with a variety of EPA headquarters and regional staff, as well as state environmental
officials, and company officials.
EPA headquarters have been working with the regions to be prepared for questions in response to these
stories. They encourage states to reach out to regional staff for assistance or to coordinate as necessary.
ECOS staff will continue to keep an eye on this as it develops and to provide members with information and
assistance.
Carolyn
DEQ-CFW 00051424

Carolyn Hanson
Deputy Executive Director
ECOS
202-266-4924
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Carolyn Hanson <cliansonLo)ecos.org>
Date: Tue, Nov 1, 2011 at 2:45 PM
Subject: EPA to Release Watch List
To: Carolyn Hanson <chansonCi.�),ecos.org>
ECOS Members,
Several months ago, EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance shared with us a Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) request received from the Center for Public Integrity (CPI) for the facilities on the
Watch List. In response to this request, EPA released the facility names on the July 2011 Watch List, but
withheld enforcement sensitive information that cannot be made public. They also then made plans to begin
releasing the watch list online in December. That plan has been changed in response to the information below.
EPA has learned that CPI is working on a series of stories about air toxics, likely to begin airing on or about
November 7th, with National Public Radio (NPR) and they are using the Clean Air Act Watch List information
in their reporting. CPI and NPR reporters and other media outlets have also contacted facilities about their status
on EPA's Watch List. Because EPA has not released information about the Watch List in the past, this has
created confusion in the regulated community, and has led to a series of additional FOIA requests to EPA. EPA
also understands that states are being contacted by reporters and facility representatives about the Watch List.
In order to ensure that the public, regulated community, and other interested parties, including CPI and NPR,
have access to the updated Watch List, EPA sent CPI the attached September list for the Clean Air Act on
October 27th and now intend to post the September Watch List for the CAA, CWA and RCRA to our
Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) website on November 2nd.
They will post this information as a PDF and have added a fact sheet to ECHO website to provide necessary
background and explanations that should be included with the Watch List http://www.epa-
echo.gov/eclio/does/watcli list fact sheet.pdf. Shortly after posting the September Watch List, EPA will post
the October Watch List and continue to post the Watch List on a monthly basis.
The Compliance Committee leadership is planning to speak with OECA on Wednesday to get some more
information. After that call, they will follow up with any additional informaiton or plans for a call.
In the meantime, if you have questions for EPA about the Watch List, the lead contact in OECA is Jason Swift
at 202-564-6692 or swift. j asonLa) epa. gov -
Carolyn
DEQ-CFW-00051425

Ca,rol-'On
D;epuov Execu,"i.,
ECOS
202-266-4924
DEQ-CFW-00051426