NFIB

CONTACT: Mike Hardiman, (202) 314-2056

WASHINGTON, D.C.— The National Federation of Independent Business today filed an extensive statement in support of changes proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency to the Toxic Release Inventory.  The public comment period for the proposed new regulations closed Friday, Jan. 13. 

The TRI requires all businesses which possess certain toxic substances, such as lead, to fill out an annual report itemizing any releases of toxic substances into the environment.  While providing a useful right-to-know tool for the general public, the TRI paperwork is extremely lengthy and time-consuming to fill out, and treats all businesses the same.  For example, a neighborhood auto repair shop fills out the same set of forms as a huge oil refinery. 

The EPA is proposing to expand eligibility for use of a shorter reporting format rather than the standard forms in two ways.  First, a company possessing the most dangerous toxics but having no releases into the environment can fill out the shorter form.  Second, companies possessing less-dangerous materials can file the short form if they release less than 5,000 pounds per year; the current limit is 500 pounds. 

The NFIB estimates that 99.9 percent of all toxic releases would still be reported in the same level of detail as present, and substantial regulatory cost savings would accrue to the smallest 18 percent of facilities affected by TRI reporting, many of whom release no toxics at all.
 
"This EPA proposal will create an important incentive for facilities to reduce and if possible eliminate pollution.  Through recycling or making technological improvements, they will be able to dramatically reduce their administrative reporting costs by being eligible to use the shorter TRI forms," said Andrew Langer, manager of regulatory policy for NFIB.   
      
TRI reporting has become a contentious issue, with the EPA proposing simplified reporting requirements for small businesses that have little or no toxic releases.  Many environmental organizations oppose any change in the current regulatory scheme. 

Read an NFIB Op-Ed in Support of the EPA Proposal

NFIB is now offering the latest NFIB news and information via RSS feeds. To subscribe to one or more feeds, or to get more information about the topic-specific feeds available, please go to www.NFIB.com/rss.

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is the nation's largest small-business advocacy group.  A nonprofit, nonpartisan organization founded in 1943, NFIB represents the consensus views of its 600,000 members in Washington and all 50 state capitals.  More information is available online at www.NFIB.com/newsroom.