Articles
Longer-form pieces on EPA ECHO data, the Toxic Release Inventory, Clean Air Act enforcement, environmental justice, and how to research industrial facilities in your community.
How to Use Emissions Data to Advocate for Your Community
Environmental data is a powerful tool for community advocates. Here's how to use EmissionsLookup data effectively in community organizing and advocacy.
Environmental Enforcement Under Different Administrations: Historical Trends
EPA enforcement activity varies significantly across administrations. Here's what the historical data shows about how political context shapes environmental oversight.
Industry Self-Reporting: How Accurate Is TRI Data?
TRI data is self-reported by regulated facilities. Here's what research shows about its accuracy and what the known systematic biases are.
How Pollution Data Can Inform Real Estate and Zoning Decisions
Environmental data from EPA ECHO and TRI is increasingly used in real estate due diligence and zoning analysis. Here's how to use it responsibly.
The Role of State Environmental Agencies in EPA Enforcement
Most EPA enforcement is actually done by states under delegated authority. Understanding this matters for interpreting compliance data by state.
Air Quality Monitoring vs. TRI Reporting: Different Data, Different Purpose
Air quality monitoring stations and TRI facility reports measure different things. Here's why both are needed for a complete picture of air quality.
How to Interpret a Facility's Penalty History
The total penalty figure in EPA ECHO can be misleading without context. Here's how to read enforcement history more accurately.
How EPA's ECHO Database Is Updated and What Its Lag Time Means
EPA ECHO is updated regularly but not in real time. Here's what the data currency means for interpreting facility compliance records.
The Difference Between Air Toxics and Criteria Pollutants
The Clean Air Act regulates two distinct categories of air pollutants differently. Here's why the distinction matters for facility emissions data.
Superfund vs. RCRA: Two Different Cleanup Programs Explained
Superfund and RCRA both address hazardous waste cleanup, but they operate through fundamentally different mechanisms. Here's the key distinction.