Better Information for Better Decisions: Expanding TRI Outreach

1. Better Information for Better Decisions: Expanding TRI Outreach Dipti Singh, Chief TRI Information and Outreach

2. Agenda: • Enhancements in Data Operations • Trends in media submission • Earlier Release of TRI data • TRI-MEweb & State Exchange • Building Partnerships • Expanded TRI Conference • Request for Proposal/Outreach Support • Role in the National Dialogue

3. TRI Submissions by Media Type

4. Release of TRI Data RY 2003-2006

5. TRI-MEweb Status • Available to the entire TRI reporting community in RY2007 • TRI-MEweb was piloted with 14 states in the State Data Exchange last year • 736 facilities submitted 2,925 forms • 3% of total facilities

6. State Data Exchange Update • 16 States participated in the State Data Exchange in RY2006 • Additional states developing the flow: CA, MS, PA, and TX • Several other states are in the planning phase • 38% submissions were forwarded to the states via the exchange • States are seeing benefits • Indiana was able to reducing staffing associated with TRI processing • Michigan was able to reduce storage space needed for TRI submissions

7. Building Partnerships • Expanding TRI Outreach • Future TRI conference • Request For Proposal • Defining the Direction • Customer Focus • Communication Planning • TRI’s Role in the National Dialogue

8. Expanding TRI Outreach • Future TRI Conferences • Continue as the a key communications event between the states, Tribes, and EPA • Expanded the 2008 TRI conference by working through a grant with WEACT • Create broader involvement from diverse stakeholders

9. Request for Proposals • To help expand the outreach, Request for Proposal announced on February 7, 2008 • Proposals are due by March 31, 2008 • Total grant is for 1M extending over a 5 year period • http://www.epa.gov/tri/grants/trirfp.html

10. Request for Proposal Purpose: • Enhance public’s understanding of TRI data/other related data and information • Improve access, presentation, and use of TRI data • Identify opportunities for all stakeholders to work with industry to reduce toxic chemical disposal or other releases and associated potential risks

11. Request for Proposal Proposed Activities: • National Conference • Clearinghouse • Mechanism to Support Analysis

12. Outreach Support • Goals - Identify/understand TRI data users - Develop audience specific objectives - Help define future strategy to conduct outreach to these users • Tools • videos, brochures, fact sheets • training, Webinars, blogs, etc

13. Outreach Support:Customer Focus Current TRI Audience Focused TRI Audience

14. TRI’s Role in the National Dialogue • Establish a communication/feedback mechanism with TRI data users: • Industry • Government • Environmental • Media • Educators • Integrate TRI stakeholder feedback into the National Dialogue to help improve use of TRI and other data

15. In Conclusion: • TRI is taking steps to make the date more accessible and meaningful • Your participation and feedback is critical to building partnerships