WASHINGTON, D.C. September 13, 2007 — The Center for Public Integrity's Takings Initiatives Accountability Project was awarded first place in the outstanding online reporting category by the Society of Environmental Journalists. This marks the second time the Center has won SEJ's annual award in the online reporting category.

Launched in August 2006, the Center’s Takings Initiatives Accountability Project investigated four initiatives on the November 7, 2006, ballots in Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, and Washington that aimed to significantly alter land-use and environmental regulations in those states. The investigation revealed the groups who bankrolled, supported and opposed the measures and presented its findings online for citizens in those states and elsewhere to assess the subject matter and potential impact of the takings initiatives.

The SEJ judges said the Center did “an outstanding online investigation of land-use ballot initiatives that could have radically changed land-use and environmental regulations in five Western states. The team did a splendid job of using Internet tools to integrate an extensive financial investigation, interviews and analysis that uncovered the links between the initiatives and a single wealthy activist.”

“This award represents the Center’s in-depth and comprehensive investigative work and ability to provide useful, objective and timely information for the public on an important policy initiative,” said Center Executive Director Bill Buzenberg. “I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of the Takings Initiatives team and proud of our efforts to generate high-quality investigative projects that service the public interest and make our democracy more accountable.”

The annual SEJ award is the world’s largest and most comprehensive award for journalism on environmental topics. It honors outstanding environmental coverage in 10 categories representing the best environmental reporting in print, on television, radio and the Internet and is judged by panelists of journalists and journalism educators.

The Center’s Takings Initiatives Accountability Project was made possible through the generous support of the Wallace Global Fund. The Center previously won an SEJ award in 2005 for its Politics of Oil investigation. All of the Center’s award-winning investigative journalism can be found at www.publicintegrity.org.

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