https://www.uschamber.com/environmental-affairs-and-sustainability

Environmental Affairs and Sustainability

The Environmental Affairs and Sustainability team promotes an enabling environment to ensure that the business community has the flexibility and policy tools it needs to succeed – for their shareholders, employees, customers and communities where they operate.

Introduction

Companies are increasingly interested in the intersection between public policy and their own sustainability efforts. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce's environment and sustainability policy capability promotes an enabling environment to ensure that the business community has the flexibility and policy tools it needs to succeed – for their shareholders, employees, customers and communities where they operate.

Objectives

Ensure that policymakers support the creative and innovative approaches that companies are undertaking to address their environmental and sustainability challenges.
Promote voluntary, flexible – not one-size-fits-all or prescriptive – policy solutions that will unleash business innovation and economic and environmental progress.
Catalyze federal investments in research and development, infrastructure modernization, smart technologies, and export initiatives that support continued business leadership and growth in the sustainability space.

Services

Based on the recent survey and discussions with members, the environment and sustainability policy service offerings include:

Policymaker education – The Chamber is working to build awareness among policymakers and the public regarding the varied and substantial environmental and sustainability efforts being undertaken by the business community, including through the sharing of data, information, and best practices.
A supportive enabling environment – The Chamber works with members and stakeholders to identify and advocate for proactive policies and investments that will continue to empower companies to pursue and maximize the impact of their sustainability initiatives.

The initial 2018 policy agenda is focusing on climate and water issues.

For more information, contact Chuck Chaitovitz, vice president for Environmental Affairs and Sustainability at CChaitovitz@uschamber.com.

Recent Activity

LetterJan 15, 2019 - 3:30pm

Nomination of Andrew Wheeler to be Administrator of the EPA

This letter was sent to the Senate Environment and Public Works committee, supporting the nomination of Andrew Wheeler to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Press ReleaseDec 18, 2018 - 8:45am

New Analysis Demonstrates Massive Costs of “Keep It In the Ground” Anti-Energy Movement

A new report by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Global Energy Institute (GEI) found that the anti-energy “Keep it in the Ground” (KIITG) movement has prevented at least $91.9 billion in domestic economic activity and eliminated nearly 730,000 job opportunities.

Press ReleaseDec 11, 2018 - 11:30am

U.S. Chamber’s Harbert Praises New Water Rule

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Chamber of Commerce Global Energy Institute President & CEO Karen Harbert issued the following statement regarding a new proposed rule revising the definition of “Waters of the United States (WOTUS)”:

LetterNov 27, 2018 - 11:00am

Water Infrastructure Provisions in the Farm Bill Reauthorization

This letter was sent to the Chairs and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, on water infrastructure provisions in the Farm Bill reauthorizations.

CommentNov 15, 2018 - 10:00am

US Chamber Comments-A Working Approach for Identifying Potential Candidate Chemicals for Prioritization

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce submits these comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) in response to its publication of the document, “A Working Approach for Identifying Potential Candidate Chemicals for Prioritization” (White Paper).1 The Chamber generally supports EPA’s efforts to prescribe approaches for identifying existing chemicals as potential candidates for prioritization, but urges EPA to reexamine a number of deficiencies included in the White Paper...

CommentSep 25, 2018 - 9:45am

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revision of the Regulations for Prohibitions to Threatened Wildlife and Plants, 83 Fed. Reg. 35,174 (July 25, 2018); Docket No. FWS-HQ-ES-2018-0007

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce submits these comments in support of the Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) proposed revisions to regulations extending to threatened species most of the prohibitions for activities involving endangered species.1 The Chamber recognizes the need to protect species threatened with extinction, but urges the FWS to avoid unnecessary impediments to land and natural resources development. FWS can accomplish this by using sound science and tailored section 4(d) rules to balance endangered species protection with property rights and compliance costs when listing species and designating critical habitat.

CommentSep 25, 2018 - 9:45am

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revision of Regulations for Interagency Cooperation, 83 Fed. Reg. 35,178 (July 25, 2018); Docket No. FWS-HQES-2018-0009

CH A M B E R O F CO M M E R C E O F T H E UN I T E D ST A T E S O F AM E R I C A 1615 H ST R E E T, NW WA S H I N G T O N, DC 20062 ( 2 0 2 ) 463-5310 September 24, 2018 VIA ELECTRONIC FILING

CommentSep 25, 2018 - 9:45am

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revision of the Regulations for Listing Species and Designating Critical Habitat, 83 Fed. Reg. 35,193 (July 25, 2018); Docket No. FWS-HQ-ES-2018-0006

CH A M B E R O F CO M M E R C E O F T H E UN I T E D ST A T E S O F AM E R I C A 1615 H ST R E E T, NW WA S H I N G T O N, DC 20062 ( 2 0 2 ) 463-5310 September 24, 2018 VIA ELECTRONIC FILING

LetterSep 12, 2018 - 3:30pm

S. 3021, "America's Infrastructure Water Act of 2018"

This letter was sent to the House of Representatives on S. 3021, “America’s Infrastructure Water Act of 2018.”

CommentAug 27, 2018 - 12:30pm

Comments on Proposed Action: Clean Water Act Hazardous Substances Spill Prevention

Submitted via www.regulations.gov August 24, 2018 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EPA Docket Center Attention Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OLEM-2018-0024 Mailcode: 28221T 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20460