Supreme Court Provides Path to Regulatory Certainty for Manufacturers in Waters of the U.S. Ruling
Washington, D.C. – Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Sackett vs. Environmental Protection Agency, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Vice President of Energy and Resources Policy Brandon Farris released the following statement:
“The Supreme Court’s decision today will help put us on a path to regulatory certainty for manufacturers across the country as all the justices agreed that the EPA had overstepped its authority under the Clean Water Act. Manufacturers are committed to keeping our waters clean and demonstrating environmental stewardship, but Clean Water Act enforcement has been rife with ambiguities and inconsistencies, often allowing the EPA to overreach and attempt to regulate water—and even dry land—that is far beyond the scope of the law. This case demonstrates yet again why manufacturers and our economy need a sensible Waters of the United States proposal that provides clarity and certainty and allows the industry to continue leading the way on environmental protection. The EPA should heed the court’s ruling and revise its latest WOTUS proposal.â€
Background:
Previously, the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø submitted multiple sets of comments regarding the 2015 WOTUS rule to better inform policymakers. In addition, the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø supported the 2017 executive order instructing the EPA to rescind the rule, and the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Legal Center had been in active litigation against the rule starting in 2015. The legal battle included a for the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø at the U.S. Supreme Court on a key procedural issue, and in 2019, federal judges invalidated the rule.
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The 51³Ô¹ÏÍø is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.90 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 55% of private-sector research and development. The 51³Ô¹ÏÍø is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visitÂ