Hello again flymike,
Most manufacturing facilities of any significant size have to file
annual reporting forms with the Environmental Protection Agency.
These forms create a large database that is publicly accessible and
easily sortable by state, industry type, or other categories.
I decided against uploading the full database of facilities for you to
download (as we did with the metal finishers). The file would be too
big to do this in an easy fashion. I thought instead I would show you
how to create a file yourself, that you can download directly to your
computer.
HOWEVER, if you decide you’d rather I create the file, just let me
know, and we’ll figure out some convenient way to transfer it. Just
post a Request for Clarification letting me know your preferences, and
I’m more than happy to oblige.
-------------------------------
As for the database itself, go the EPA’s webpage for the TRI Explorer
at:
http://www.epa.gov/triexplorer/
On the left hand side of the page, click on the link for “Facility”.
On the right hand side of the page that materializes, de-select all
the boxes under the heading of “Releases” (air, water, etc).
Click on “Generate Report” on the left-hand side.
This will create a table labelled:
“TRI On-site and Off-site Reported Releases (in pounds), Top 100
Facilities (of 24,896), for facilities in All Industries, for All
Chemicals, U.S., 2001”
Immediately underneath this label is a box...type in the word “ALL”to
create a record of all 24,896 facilities -- be patient, it takes a
minute or two.
In time, you’ll get a list of all 24,896 facilities. There are two
things to note about this list:
1. On the right-hand side of the page is a column for “Total On-sit
and Off-site Releases”. This is the amount of pollution each
facility is reporting to EPA and it is a pretty good proxy for
facility size -- the facilities at the top of the list are large, and
they generally get smaller as you get towards the bottom. There is no
"number of employee" info in the system, so this is the closest I can
get you to employee size.
2. Click on any facility name, and you’ll get additional information,
including a contact name and phone number.
Towards the very bottom of the page (well past the bottom of the list
itself) is a download button:
“Export this report to a text file -- Create comma-separated values,
compatible with spreadsheet and databases.”
Click on “Download” to create a database file (just like the one I
gave you earlier) of all the records.
-----------------------------------
The fly in the ointment for all this, of course, is that you have to
click on individual records to get contact information.
The only way to get around this is to have EPA itself generate a
datafile for you with the full contact information -- contact person,
facility name, mailing address and phone number -- for each facility
in the database. I believe they are obligated to do this for you
under the Freedom of Information Act, but be forewarned, it can take a
while for them to actually get you the data.
If you want to go this route, click the “Contact Us” button at the top
of the page, and send them a note laying out in detail what
information you want. They should contact you in about ten days or
say to let you know the status of your request.
-----------------------------------
I hope this meets your needs. This has been an interesting challenge,
so thanks for the opportunity of working on it. If anything here
needs elaboration -- or if there is any problem at all creating the
database -- just let me know, and I’ll be glad to assist you further.
pafalafa-ga |
