The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a)
The people of California have the right to know the hazards posed by toxic releases near their homes, schools, and workplaces. They have the right to know how much pollution is being released into the water, air, and soil.
(b)
Since its inception in 1986, as part of the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986, (EPCRA; Chapter 116 (commencing with
Section 11001) of Title 42 of the United States Code), the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) has supplied this essential information on toxic chemical releases to the public. The goal of the TRI is to empower citizens, through information, to hold companies and local governments accountable for how toxic chemicals are managed.
(c)
It is the intent of the Legislature that California citizens do not lose access to the information necessary to understand the potential threats to public health and safety and the environment that is available through the Toxics Release Inventory as it existed on January 1, 2006, including the ease of accessibility.