Call for Input

Environmental Defense is considering the fate of their Scorecard website

Environmental Defense's Scorecard.org website enables visitors to easily access pollution reports covering toxic releases, air quality, and other environmental issues in their community. Scorecard averages around 100,000 unique visitors monthly, making it Google's top ranked website for information about toxic chemicals and local pollution.

Environmental Defense has recently concluded that operating costs for Scorecard, as currently structured, are no longer sustainable given the organization's priorities and resources. Environmental Defense is now seeking input on several questions:

1. Is there still a need for Scorecard (or a similar successor site) to spotlight polluters and provide environmental and chemical information to the environmental health advocacy community, the media, other groups, and/or the general public?

2. If yes, what are the most important Scorecard components to retain?
The site currently covers the following environmental issues: toxics (chemical releases, superfund sites and lead), air pollution (smog and particulates, hazardous air pollutants), water quality issues, and environmental justice. It also provides information on chemicals, their health effects and regulatory coverage. Which of these issue areas could be dropped

3. If yes, what are the most important enhancements that would make the site more useful or effective?

4. Have you used Scorecard in your work, and if so in what ways?

5. Would your organization consider sharing the costs of operating and supporting Scorecard, either separately or in conjunction with Environmental Defense?
Can you suggest any other potential funding sources for operating Scorecard?

Please email answers (and any other comments about Scorecard) to Environmental Defense at Scorecard@environmentaldefense.org. Please indicate if you'd like to receive a synopsis of comments received and the ultimate outcome.