Closely aligned with Dutko Worldwide’s energy practice, our work in the area of environmental law and policy continues to see vibrant growth as businesses increasingly feel the real-world impact of domestic environmental requirements on their bottom lines. Although Congress has moved slowly from 2000 to 2004 in the area of environmental policy, the current Administration has used this opening to advance various regulatory initiatives relative to the Clean Air Act that, if fully implemented, would have a tremendous impact on business in general. While litigation and the overall sluggish pace of rulemaking have slowed down these efforts, our clients have been particularly focused on developments such as New Source Review and new NAAQS. Initiatives in other traditional areas, such as Clean Water, RCRA and Superfund have experienced a more settled evolution during this time period. Finally, an area seeing increased attention in this age of terrorist threats has been that of chemical facility security; legislation on this topic is sure to advance in the 109th session of Congress. Client needs in the area of environmental law and policy are varied. For many seeking to have a direct impact on the shaping of legislation and regulations, work on the Hill and within the agencies is daily and non-stop. Other clients retain Dutko Worldwide to assess likely trends in legislation and regulation as they craft long-range business plans and strategies, and seek to stay current on the latest developments and thinking on Capitol Hill and at the White House. That so many of our environmental policies also impact our portfolio of energy policies only increases the need for constant evaluation of where both worlds intersect.

		The Carpet and Rug Institute		The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) is the national trade association representing the carpet and rug industry. Its membership consists of manufacturers representing 94% of all carpet produced in the United States, and suppliers of raw materials and services to the industry. In 2000, CRI’s President Werner Braun’s highest priority was to implement a communication and public policy strategy that highlighted the industry’s achievement of significantly reducing its environmental impact and reinforcement of the Carpet Industry’s Sustainability Code of Conduct.