December, 10 2018, 11:00pm EDT
Business Leaders Criticize Admin's Proposed Clean Water Rule
In response to the Trump Administration's announced proposal to replace the Clean Water Rule, the American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC), which with its member organizations represents more than 250,000 businesses, released the following statement. It may be attributed to CEO Hammad Atassi.
WASHINGTON
In response to the Trump Administration's announced proposal to replace the Clean Water Rule, the American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC), which with its member organizations represents more than 250,000 businesses, released the following statement. It may be attributed to CEO Hammad Atassi.
"Clean water is as essential to a healthy economy as it is to a healthy environment. Business depends on clean water. We don't get clean water by gutting protections for streams and wetlands. We can't support and grow businesses by putting the natural water infrastructure they rely on at risk of destruction. The Trump Administration's proposal to replace the Clean Water Rule puts polluters ahead of the rest of the business community."
Business members of ASBC also criticized the proposal. "Clean water is mission critical for my business and many others," said Ashley Rossi, Founder and CEO of Tiny Human Food, an organic baby food company in Naperville, IL. "Up and down the Mississippi River Basin and across the country, even businesses that don't depend deeply on clean water for their core business, need clean water for their employees at work and at home. I don't understand how reducing protections for clean water helps any responsible business."
If allowed to be implemented, the existing Clean Water Rule would have generated more than $400 million annually in economic benefits. A scientific survey found that more than 80 percent of small business owners support implementation of the existing rule.
ASBC supported the Obama Administration's update to the Clean Water Rule and sided against challenges in court. Business leaders who want to show their support of strong protections of clean water may sign on to the "Clean Water is Good for Business" principles here.
The American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC) advocates for policy change and informs business owners, policymakers and the public about the need and opportunities for building a vibrant, broadly prosperous, sustainable economy. Founded in 2009, its membership represents over 250,000 businesses in a wide range of industries.
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A group of youth climate activists occupied House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's office in Washington, D.C. on Thursday to condemn the Republican leader and his caucus for pushing the U.S. government to the brink of a destructive shutdown as they demand draconian cuts to food aid, housing assistance, and environmental programs.
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