Clean Water Action Statement on Phosphate Detergents and Water

Washington, DC - On July 1, 2010 a voluntary ban on phosphates in dishwasher detergents will be implemented by many members of the American Cleaning Council (formerly the Soap and Detergent Association), a manufacturer's trade group representing most detergent companies.

"Industry's announcement on phosphates in dishwasher detergents is welcome news, indeed, if somewhat overdue," said Jonathan Scott, a spokesman for Clean Water Action, founded in the early 1970's to fight for clean, safe water. "Even small amounts of phosphates can wreak havoc when they get into our water," Scott says, "so it's the last thing you want as an ingredient in detergents, which are specifically designed to end up in the water by way of household appliances and drain pipes."

"Good news is all too scarce these days, when it comes to our water. Between the BP Gulf oil disaster, and a host of other problems, it is clear that the nation's commitment to clean and safe water has faltered.

Washington, DC - Clean Water Action's President and CEO responded to the release of U.S. Senators John Kerry and Joe Lieberman's draft American Power Act with the following statement:

"Legislation unveiled today by Sens. Kerry and Lieberman offers an encouraging path forward on the twin challenges of reducing climate-changing pollution and regaining a leadership role for the U.S. in creating the clean energy economy that will drive the global economy of the future.

America needs the jobs and other economic benefits that can flow from the right strategy for reducing energy pollution, developing cleaner, more efficient technologies, and reducing the nation's damaging over-reliance on oil and other fuels of the past.

Clean Water Action Statement on Offshore Drilling

Washington DC - The Administration's new focus on offshore oil drilling diverts resources and attention from other energy strategies which offer far greater promise for creating jobs and building the new clean energy economy the American people are demanding.

"Offshore drilling is another false solution to the nation's current energy woes," said Clean Water Action President, John DeCock. "Drilling now, and in these unique and special places, will do nothing to relieve the burden of high prices at the pump that we're all struggling with," said DeCock. He noted that decreases in demand are what brought prices down from record highs in 2008 and cited the long lead times of a decade or more between initial exploration and when new supplies might eventually reach the market

Given the ever-present potential for environmental catastrophe from even a single offshore spill and the huge economic benefit already being realized all along American coastlines free from polluting spills, this policy represents a step in the wrong direction.

Calls on Americans To Defend and Strengthen Environmental and Health Statues

Washington, DC -- Joining voices with water advocates from around the globe, Clean Water Action called today for a renewed campaign to defend the environmental and public health laws that have improved water quality in the United States since 1972.  "When Clean Water Action fought to pass the original Clean Water Act in the 70's" said President John DeCock "we knew that this law would have enormous public health and environmental benefit.   I think it's safe to say that the success of the Clean Water Act in saving lives, preventing disease, ensuring safe drinking water and protecting habitat, has exceeded all expectations.  It is arguably the most successful piece of environmental legislation in our nation's history."

However, the Clean Water Act remains at risk because of administrative rule-making and two badly rendered Supreme Court decisions that occurred during the Bush Administration.   Agribusiness conglomerates and developers are taking advantage of the ambiguity introduced into the law by these actions to violate the letter and spirit of the Clean Water Act free from enforcement penalties.

Clean Water Action calls upon Congress to fix this by passing comprehensive legislation during this session of Congress to restore the full integrity to the law.  The environment and public health communities call for the introduction of a companion piece of legislation in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee so that these essential protections can be restored.

"The Clean Water Act was settled law for over three decades and rule-making over that period carved out reasonable accommodation for agriculture and development." said DeCock, "The breach to the integrity of this law has been allowed to go on for far too long. It is past time for Congress to act."

We are pleased that Governor Patrick is seeking a phase out on bisphenol A (BPA,) a hormone disrupting chemical, in children’s products. However, we are disappointed that the Governor’s starting point for this process does not address the contamination of baby formula from BPA cans as well as other products for which there are safer alternatives.

Clean Water Action welcomes today's Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment hearing on "Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Drinking Water." Growing evidence of occurrence of endocrine disrupting chemicals in the nation's water bodies, including sources of drinking water, has led to widespread concern that merits not only new research and water policy but an "upstream" approach as well.

President Obama was right to emphasize the job creation potential and economic stakes for America's leadership on global warming solutions in his State of the Union address this week.

Strategic use of federal stimulus monies is one of the best ways to jump-start the nation's transition to a clean energy economy. Planned investments in high speed rail, new energy efficiency technologies, clean energy start-ups and entrepreneurs can deliver the right combination of near term and longer range benefits.

By re-asserting the imperative for U.S. action and leadership on global warming, the President signaled the urgency and importance of Senate action to complete work on comprehensive energy and global warming legislation begun by the House.

Act Now To Fund Jobs That Save Lives

Legislation to create jobs is moving forward in Congress, and environmental health advocates have a great opportunity to significantly increase the funding to reduce diesel emissions. The request for $1 billion would potentially save or generate 19,000 jobs and increase economic output by over $3 billion.

It is a great opportunity to protect public health, curb greenhouse gases and otherwise protect the environment while putting Americans to work and boosting the economy. Please contact your House representative and two Senators to urge them to support $1 billion in the jobs package to reduce diesel emissions today. 

January 11, 2010

The Honorable Harry Reid
Senate Majority Leader
522 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Majority Leader Reid:

We are writing as a broad-based group of environmental, health and industry organizations to urge you to include $1 billion for the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2005 ("DERA") in the anticipated jobs package.

Published On: 

01/11/2010 - 10:57

Washington, DC - Clean Water Action today praised President-elect Obama's proposed economic reinvestment plan as providing a new vision for America's energy future.

"The President-elect's plan is a dramatic departure from the failed policies of the past eight years that got us into this economic mess and offers the opportunity to kick-start the economy and create millions of good American jobs that move us to a clean energy future," said John DeCock, Clean Water Action President.    "We need to look at the details of the plan in depth, but based on what President-elect Obama outlined today we are extremely pleased with the overall direction the plan takes to repower, refuel and rebuild America.

December 11,2009

Governor Patrick’s decision to retain the moratorium against new waste incineration is the right decision. He has committed the state to green solutions that protect public health, promote energy and resource conservation, and create green jobs. Recycling creates more jobs and saves more energy by far than waste incineration