Final Ruling on Stormwater is Bad for Business - AWB May Appeal!
Last week, the Pollution Control Hearings Board issued a final ruling in the Industrial Stormwater General Permit appeal. The final order directs the Department of Ecology to rewrite permit conditions pertaining to mixing zones, compliance schedules and monitoring requirements. If left unchallenged, these rulings will significantly increase costs for businesses and negatively impact other individual and general National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permits. AWB and other parties have until September 3 to appeal the ruling. Fundraising efforts are underway now. Contact AWB's Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org for more information and to pledge financial support of the appeal.

 

Clif Finch Departs AWB – We Wish Him Well!
After 18 years, Clif Finch, AWB’s Governmental Affairs Director for Human Resources, is leaving AWB to compete for the employer position on the state’s Industrial Insurance Appeals Board. Clif had the following to say, “Words cannot express the gratitude I feel to the AWB membership, and in particular the members who served so magnificently on my committees, for the support they have provided to me over the years. It has been a unique privilege to represent the employer community and I will cherish the experience for the rest of my life. I have completely recovered from my health problems earlier this year and look forward to new challenges. I will miss my fellow employer community lobbyists and the great team at AWB, but am confident that the future is bright for AWB.”

 

L&I Adopts New Regulations – How Will These Rules Affect Your Business?
Effective August 1, the Department of Labor and Industries has adopted new rules on bloodborne pathogens, hearing loss prevention and portable power tools. For copies of the rules, visit www.lni.wa.gov/wisha/rules. Contact AWB’s Cody Benson at (360) 943-1600 or CodyB@awb.org.

 

AWB’s Water Quality Agenda – You Can Have a Say!
Be sure to attend the Water Quality Committee’s meeting at AWB headquarters on August 14. Important water quality issues will be discussed, including DOE’s newly adopted water quality standards and the recent stormwater appeal ruling. Participants will also help develop AWB’s legislative agenda for 2004. The committee’s recommendations will then be forwarded to the Environmental Affairs Council for their consideration on August 26. Contact Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

 

PBT Work Group Needs Your Input - Help Develop AWB's 2004 Environmental Legislative Agenda!
AWB needs your input on important environmental issues pertaining to persistent bioaccumulative toxins (PBTs) and electronic wastes. Members have an opportunity to take an active role in shaping AWB’s environmental legislative agenda by attending the PBT Work Group’s August 14 meeting at AWB headquarters. Recommendations of the PBT Work Group will be considered by the Environmental Affairs Council. Contact Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

 

Does L&I Owe YOU? – Find Out!
Workers’ comp is expensive enough without overpayments. Find out if your company has paid too much into workers’ comp by accessing a new service, exclusively for AWB members, that determines if L&I owes you. Contact AWB’s Kandice Jackson at (360) 943-1600 or KandiceJ@awb.org.

 

AWB Policy Summit Coming Next Month - Mark it on Your Calendar!
AWB’s 2003 Policy Summit (Sept 24-26) at the Inn at Semi-ah-moo is coming soon. With great golf, great beaches and great policy discussions, you won’t want to miss this event. Contact Kandice Jackson at (360) 943-1600 or KandiceJ@awb.org.  Reserve rooms today by calling (800) 770-7992. Register online at www.info-awb.org/mofcart/2003policysummitorder.html.

 

AWB Freight Savings Program – Can You Afford Not to Sign Up?
Small and mid-sized companies can save money on shipping just like larger companies with the AWB Freight Savings Program. The program features a 62 percent discount on all less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments between 200 to 20,000 pounds in the U.S. and Canada. The AWB Freight Savings Program also provides competitive rates on other freight shipments including truckload, rail and air/expedited. Contact Kandice Jackson at (360) 943-1600 or KandiceJ@awb.org.