The agency estimated it would reduce the reporting burden companies face by 3 percent of total annual burden hours, worth about $6 million annually, but the report said that’s likely an overstatement.
It said the projected savings are based on outdated OMB-approved data and that more recent EPA engineering estimates would put savings at about 25 percent less.
The rule provides neither meaningful burden reduction nor sufficient information to the public, the report concludes.
GAO called for a reexamination of the benefits and costs to ensure that the changes to TRI fully reflect the considered judgment of EPA staff as provided for in the agency’s "action development process" to avoid similarly problematic outcomes in the future, while ensuring the credibility and effectiveness of future TRI rulemakings.
Current bills pending in congressional committees would repeal the EPA rule by capping eligibility to use the shorter form-A at 500 pounds per non-PBTs — persistent, bio-accumulative, toxic compounds – and prohibiting their use for PBTs.