[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 11 (Thursday, February 12, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S746]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. COVERDELL:
  S. 1639. A bill to amend the Emergency Planning and Community Right-
To-Know Act of 1986 to cover Federal facilities; to the Committee on 
Environment and Public Works.


       the federal facilities community right-to-know act of 1998

  Mr. COVERDELL. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation--
The Federal Facilities Community Right-To-Know Act of 1998--which 
provides that the federal government is held to the same reporting 
requirements under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know 
Act (EPCRA) of 1986 as private entities. In 1986, Congress directed the 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a national inventory 
to inform the public about chemicals used and released in their 
communities. Since enactment of the Emergency Planning and Community 
Right-To-Know Act, manufacturers have been required to keep extensive 
records on how they use and store hazardous chemicals and report 
releases of hundreds of hazardous chemicals annually. EPA compiles the 
reported information into the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI).
  The Toxic Release Inventory is a publicly available data base 
containing specific chemical release and transfer information from 
manufacturing facilities throughout the United States. The TRI is 
intended to promote planning for chemical emergencies and to provide 
information to the public regarding the presence and release of toxic 
and hazardous chemicals in their communities.
  In August 1993, President Clinton signed Executive Order 12856, which 
required Federal facilities to begin submitting TRI reports beginning 
in calendar year 1994 activities. I commend President Clinton for 
taking this action. However, this executive order does not have the 
force of law and could be changed by a future Administration. The 
National Governors Association's policy on federal facilities states 
that ``Congress should ensure that federal and state ``right to know'' 
requirements apply to federal facilities.'' My legislation simply 
amends the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act to cover 
federal facilities. It is important for the Federal government to 
protect the environment and its citizens from hazardous substances. 
People living near federal facilities have the right to know what 
hazardous substances are being released into the environment by these 
facilities so they can better protect themselves and their children 
from these potential threats. It is my strong belief that federal 
facilities should be treated the same as private entities. My 
legislation attempts to moves us closer towards that goal.
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