AWB Presented with U.S. Chamber Accreditation at Spring Board Meeting
U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Tom Donohue presented AWB with its Accreditation with Distinction plaque at the annual Spring Meeting dinner in Spokane. AWB is only the second state chamber of commerce in the United States to earn the Accreditation with Distinction.

Summer Camp Teaches High School Students About Business – AWB Members Save $50
AWB created Washington Business Week, a week long experience where students learn business, free enterprise, real life skills, teamwork and more. There is space for summer, but hurry. See www.wbw.org. Go to www.awb.org for the special $50 off application for children of AWB members and their employees. Or call (253) 815-6900.

AWB Urges Ecology Not to Adopt MTCA Rule Amendments
The Dept. of Ecology has proposed amendments to the current Model Toxics Control Act rules that are much more stringent than EPA clean-up levels. In comments submitted last Friday, AWB urged the department to re-evaluate its basis for proposed changes that rely too heavily on worst-case risk assumptions and will lead to increased costs for businesses regulated under MTCA. Contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

Bergeson Defends Education Standards – Calls for Employer Involvement
Regardless of whether or not people agree with the WASL, Dr. Terry Bergeson, Washington’s superintendent of public instruction, told AWB’s annual Spring Board Meeting that our schools need testing standards to make sure students know basic math, science, reading and writing and know how to apply those skills. According to Bergeson, unless employers continue to weigh in, we will not have the trained and skilled workers we need in the future to compete.

Department of Ecology to Develop Lead Chemical Action Plan – Members Needed
As part of the agency’s multi-year schedule adopted earlier this year, Ecology has selected lead for the department’s next chemical action plan. Ecology intends to begin an advisory committee process to begin developing the CAP in late June and issue the draft for public comment in December. The department will focus on sources and products containing lead and develop recommendations for reducing risks to environmental health risks from lead. Members interested in participating on the advisory committee are encouraged to contact Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

L&I Issues Regional Directive for Emergency Outdoor Heat Stress Rule
On June 5, the Dept. of Labor & Industries’ heat stress rule will go into effect, according to a WISHA Regional Directive for the department’s emergency outdoor heat stress rule. A copy of the WRD, along with the draft emergency rule, training workshops schedule, a sample heat stress prevention program, and other information is available at www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Topics/AtoZ/HeatStress. Contact Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

Climate Advisory Team Meeting – June 5
The Climate Advisory Team, formed by Ecology and CTED to implement the governor’s executive order on climate change, holds its next meeting June 5, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., at the Spokane Red Lion Hotel. Numerous AWB members are on the CAT and technical working groups. All meetings are open to the public. Check www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange for the agenda. Contact Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.