The American Sustainable Business Network's monthly newsletter highlighting news on policy, business, capital, and more. 

MAKING AN IMPACT

ASBN is committed to working with and alongside our network to develop and elevate the policy solutions needed for inclusive and long-lasting systems change.

Thank you all for your part in advancing our mission.


** THE GOOD NEWS
------------------------------------------------------------

ReGen Ag Farm Bill Sign-On Update

Thank you to the 108 businesses, investors, and organizations that signed on to the Regenerative Agriculture and Justice working group’s most recent letter to Congress on defending the IRA conservation funds! If you missed it, read the letter here ([link removed]) .


** THE BAD NEWS
------------------------------------------------------------

The Supreme Court of the United States has ended its term with the issuance of massively disappointing and potentially catastrophic decisions, including two cases that could create a negative ripple across the regulatory and business landscape for years to come:
[link removed]

In Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, the court reversed the longstanding precedent of Chevron U.S.A. Inc. v. National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), which instructed courts to defer to an agency’s reasonable interpretation of a law when a federal statute is ambiguous or silent. The reversal of Chevron opens the door to more courts second-guessing agency decisions about critical regulatory

safeguards and increases the likelihood of judges’ ideological preferences playing a far greater role in deciding regulatory cases than agencies’ subject matter experts. Additionally, the absence of Chevron deference can place small businesses at a competitive disadvantage. Read ASBN’s full statementhere ([link removed]) .

In Corner Post Inc. v. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the court further upended regulatory predictability and stability by effectively gutting the statute of limitations for challenges to federal regulations, upon which businesses have relied for decades. In her dissenting opinion, Justice Jackson referenced the amicus brief ASBN submitted to the court along with other small business organizations in highlighting the clear dangers of this ruling:

“Knowledgeable amici have explained that the majority’s approach to accrual of the statute of limitations for APA claims undermines the “[s]tability, predictability, and consistency [that] enable[s] small businesses to survive and thrive… And there is no question that long-term uncertainty “hinders the ability of businesses to plan effectively… And, again, one might think that preventing such chaos is precisely why Congress enacted a statute of limitations in the first place."

Corner Post Dissenting Opinion, Justice Jackson, with whom Justice Sotomayor and Justice Kagan join, 603 U. S.(2024) ([link removed]) .

ASBN will continue to advocate on behalf of its members through the notice and comment process and explore legislative action to restore Chevron deference.

In Ohio v. EPA ([link removed]) , the court ruled against EPA’s Good Neighbor Plan to cut cross-state pollution, effectively halting it. ASBN’s Senior Advisor of Climate and Energy, Michael Green, says, “Not only does [the Good Neighbor Plan] support the local community and downwind communities, but it also guarantees that neighboring states don't become sacrificed due to lack of regulations from a neighboring state.” Pollution does not respect state borders, and this decision will leave businesses and communities facing pollution that did not originate within their state.

TAKE ACTION

The fight is not over. We will continue to support the EPA's work to protect clean air and water and encourage you, as business leaders, to show your support by signing this petition to Defend Our Climate ([link removed]) from further attacks.

Want to do more? Join us by following ASBN across social media. Like and share some of our recent posts to voice your concerns and show your support for a more just and sustainable economy! It’s never been more important to stand together. We hope to see you there!
[link removed] [link removed] [link removed] [link removed] [link removed]


** ASBN STATEMENTS
------------------------------------------------------------
* Ruling Strikes Down 40 Years of Regulatory Predictability Small Businesses Rely On ([link removed]) . (July 1)


** ASBN IN THE NEWS
------------------------------------------------------------
* An 11th-Hour Ruling Limits the Abortion Provisions of a New Law Protecting Pregnant Workers ([link removed]) , The Nation (June 18)
* David Levine, President and Co-Founder of ASBN, was featured in a recent video spotlight on the launch of the US-Ethiopia Social Enterprise Engagement (USE-SEE). The event was attended by 125 participants, including social entrepreneurs, business leaders, US Embassy diplomats, Ethiopian government officials, members of the Ethiopian Parliament, and the press. Watch the news clip by the African Renaissance Television Services ([link removed]) (ARTS TV), based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.


** IN OTHER NEWS
------------------------------------------------------------
* Want a Strong Economy? Business Needs to Defend the Integrity of Our Elections ([link removed]) –– Arizona’s secretary of state urges the business community to support candidates who support democratic ideals, US News (July 1)


** ASBN Spotted
------------------------------------------------------------

ASBN leaders, staff and contractors are busy each month advocating for sustainable and regenerative business practices and progressive policies. Here are some one of the ways ASBN represented sustainable business voices this last month:

(Pictured left to right: Kyle Apsey from Apsey Farms, Finnian Makepeace from Regenerate America, Staff from Chairwoman Stabenow’s office, Jyoti Jankowski and Samya Ayyagari from Save Soil, Liza LaManna from ASBN and Lara Bryant from NRDC.)

Liza LaManna, ASBN Manager of Regenerative Agriculture and Clean Water, joined Kiss the Ground’s Regenerate America Coalition Day on the Hill, giving voice to the business case for regenerative agriculture and celebrating 30,000 signatures on the petition for regeneration!

Last month, Liza LaManna also attended the Climate Action Campaign’s (CAC) Solution for Pollution victory party. Along with CAC, ASBN has advocated for strong regulations for clean air since 2022, and there is a lot to celebrate! Major accomplishments include the Soot Rule, Methane Rule, Power Plant (carbon) Rule, and many more that will set standards to regulate and reduce air pollution and continue the transition to a clean energy economy.

(ASBN Spotted: Liza LaManna, Manager of RegAg and Clean Water with Marisa Sandoval, Climate Training Manager of the Climate Reality Project.)

Did you miss our recent ASBN Live Webinars?

Only ASBN members have access to all previous ASBN Live webinar recordings. Interested in joining? Contact Shanti Holloway (mailto:[email protected]) , Director of Membership Success.


** ASBN is growing!
------------------------------------------------------------


** Please join us in welcoming our newest members:
------------------------------------------------------------
[link removed]

Bark Media ([link removed]) is inspired by leaders and organizations working toward a better future — and believes storytelling is a powerful tool for social change and movement building. As media experts who specialize in the world of impactful brands, Bark Media crafts stories and content strategies to help you share your unique mission, connect with your ideal audience, and foster the continuing engagement that builds trust and success. Bark believes that as people increasingly seek to support positive-impact brands, mission-first businesses and nonprofits have a ripe opportunity to share their stories, connect with more consumers, and, ultimately, grow their positive impact.
[link removed]

The MeasureD ([link removed]) lab helps organizations create and measure social as well as financial value through innovation and culture change, in order to strengthen society and create the conditions for equitable life on earth.

WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR BUSINESS TO BE FEATURED HERE? REACH OUT TO SHANTI HOLLOWAY (mailto:[email protected]) , DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP SUCCESS, TO JOIN ASBN AS A MEMBER OR WITH AN OFFER FOR ASBN MEMBERS, EXCITING NEWS OR EVENTS FOR CONSIDERATION.

In conjunction with Other Half Processing, the American Sustainable Business Institute is the grantee and administrative home of the Growing GRASS project. Growing GRASS ([link removed]) is a five-year, $35 million project funded by the USDA Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities grant program, dedicated to improving the beef and bison byproduct supply chain. Contact Anna Straus (mailto:[email protected]) .

Growing GRASS Project Working Groups Underway

This past month, the rubber met the road for Growing GRASS. The project’s partners joined official working groups to advance their five main areas of focus: Production & Supply; Byproduct Collection; Attribute Valuation; Marketplace Readiness; and of course the GRASS Standard itself, which validates the climate benefits of regenerative grazing systems.

Some key first tasks for the working groups include releasing a screening survey to recruit eligible beef and bison farmers, ranchers, and herders to join the project; documenting current byproduct collection practices and barriers; researching regulations that may impact the project’s goals; and identifying brands that may be interested in sourcing regenerative products.

The Growing GRASS working groups are advancing simultaneously along five distinct “pathways” to achieve a shared goal: to increase the supply, profitability and community value of regeneratively raised beef and bison byproducts.

ASBN’s Working Groups and Task Forces allow members to shape and engage in policy work organized around significant issue areas and specific campaigns. Contact Shanti Holloway (mailto:[email protected]) , Director of Membership Success, to get involved in working groups and learn about other membership benefits.

ASBN-BizNGO Chemicals Policy

We engage in public policy initiatives for safer chemicals and sustainable materials.

Climate and Energy

Identifies key problems, solutions, and strategies to address our planet's climate and energy crisis.

Regenerative Agriculture and Justice

Working with farmers and other agricultural stakeholders, we advocate for sustainable agriculture, environmental justice, and support for underserved and BIPOC farmers.

Clean Water is Good For Business

The Clean Water is Good For Business: Delaware River Watershed Steering Committee works with businesses based in the Delaware River watershed to advocate for cleaner water.
* Read the latest in the CleanWater newsletter here ([link removed]) and share our handy messaging toolkit ([link removed]) with your network!

Business for Democracy

Business for Democracy believes that a strong democracy is essential for a vibrant entrepreneurial economy. Business for Democracy Collaboratives have been established in eight states to raise the voice of small businesses to protect democracy; we are working to establish a chapter in the Maryland/DC area.

Circular Economy

Emphasizes recycling, reuse, sharing, repair, and remanufacturing, and the reduction of waste, pollution, and carbon emissions throughout the economy; meets the third Wednesday of each month.

Livable Planet

Dedicated to the shared mission of protecting and renewing life on planet Earth. LPWG is a place for learning, collaborating, and amplifying the good work happening in the world..

Investors Circle ([link removed]) , is pleased to share the next step in its 30-year history. It is spinning off from ASBN as an independent non-profit rooted in connecting angels and investors with early-stage and high-growth for-profit impact companies. The focus is to foster community to invest where profit meets purpose.

Membership, Sponsorship and Donations ([link removed]) are now active! Join IC's community of 100+ investor members who have deployed $275MM+ to 350+ companies over the past 30 years. We welcome people to participate in providing time, treasure and talent in service of business for good.

Upcoming events are posted online ([link removed]) . The next national meeting is virtual Thursday, July 18, starting at noon ET. It features special guest speaker Luni Libes and presentations from high-growth impact companies. Regional gatherings, like the one held in New York last week (see picture below), are planned for later in 2024 and 2025. Drop a line to learn more.

Are you a current active ASBN Member and receiving this email?

If so, please contact [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=&body=) so we can move your email address so you can receive the members-only newsletter with more exclusive content and opportunities instead!
[link removed] [link removed] [link removed] [link removed]

Copyright (C) 2024 American Sustainable Business Network. All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email as someone who registered for an ASBN event or service, you have been a member, or you have communicated with ASBN previously.
Our mailing address is:
American Sustainable Business Network
712 H Street NE
PMB 42
Washington, DC 20002
USA
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can
update your preferences ([link removed]) or unsubscribe ([link removed])