Business Leaders Criticize Admin’s Proposed Clean Water Rule

WASHINGTON, DC — 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.