The Portland Cement Association (PCA) released the following statement regarding the complaint the association filed today against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers, challenging the expansion of federal authority under the Clean Water Act through the new Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, along with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Business, the State Chamber of Oklahoma, and Tulsa Regional Chamber.

The statement below is attributable to James G. Toscas, president and CEO, Portland Cement Association.

If you are writing a story and would like more information on this issue, please contact Erik Rancatore of PCA at 847.972.9138 or erancatore@cement.org.

“Through WOTUS, federal regulators are asserting unprecedented regulatory authority over large and small bodies of water throughout the U.S., exceeding the scope that was set by Congress and upheld by the Supreme Court.  This will create needless gridlock, delays, and cost for construction projects across the country, with little or no benefit to the environment.”  

“Cement manufacturers take environmental responsibility very seriously.  Every cement plant in the United States complies with every existing state and federal water quality standard.  WOTUS, however, includes an arbitrary, case-by-case determination as to what rules apply where, which would make compliance more difficult.  We therefore stand with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Business, the State Chamber of Oklahoma and the Tulsa Regional Chamber, and call for a stop to this extraordinary and unnecessary expansion of federal authority.”

About PCA
PCA is the association of America’s cements manufacturers, headquartered in Skokie, Illinois, with offices in seven states and in Washington, DC. It serves as a powerful and vocal advocate for sustainability, economic growth, sound infrastructure investment, and overall innovation and excellence in construction throughout the U.S. More information on PCA is available at www.cement.org.