The federal Toxics Release Inventory is a publicly available database that contains information on toxic chemical releases and other waste management activities reported annually by certain covered industry groups as well as federal facilities. This inventory was established under the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA) and expanded by the federal Pollution Prevention Act of 1990. The goal of the Toxic Release Inventory is to empower citizens, through information, to hold companies and local governments accountable for how toxic chemicals are managed.

“I oppose this federal proposal, because the information now available is crucial for making decisions to protect public health and the environment. The proposed changes will greatly hamper efforts by citizens and policy makers alike to gather pertinent information on polluters,” Ruskin said. “A paramount concern is the impact the Bush Administration’s proposal will have on the ability of citizens to track toxic emissions in their neighborhoods.”

In October, 2005, the federal EPA proposed changes in regulations governing TRI that would drastically reduce the amount and types of information available. The federal EPA is calling the proposed rulemaking the "Burden Reduction Proposed Rule" which includes: raising the baseline reporting threshold for chemicals from the current 500 pounds to 5,000 pounds, and requiring reports every two years instead of the current, annual requirement. Some of the chemicals that must be reported include mercury, DDT, and PCBs in addition to reports on any storage of dioxin or dioxin-like compounds, even if none are released.

“My legislation will direct the California Environmental Protection Agency to use the current federal TRI as a framework to develop a California TRI. California must be prepared so that if the proposed reductions in federal level reporting thresholds, frequencies, and other components are compromised, California can retain access to this valuable information,” Ruskin concluded.