Focus: EPAs Revised Boiler MACT Rules Do Not Address Manufacturers Concerns |
On Friday, December 2, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released revised Boiler MACT rules the agency says will ease the cost burden and compliance impact on manufacturers of all sizes. The NAM issued a statement outlining why the agencys revised rules on emissions from industrial and commercial boilers and process heaters will cost manufacturing jobs. While the revisions include adjustments that address some of the concerns raised by manufacturers and other affected groups, a host of problems remain unaddressed: overall, the rules maintain an unrealistic compliance time frame, do not solve litigation issues and remain overly burdensome in cost. The EPAs revised Boiler MACT rules will do significant harm to job growth and investment at a critical time in our recovery, said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. This is yet another example of the EPA pursuing an aggressive agenda that is putting jobs at risk and creating uncertainty throughout the economy. Factoring in regulatory costs currently in place, it is already 20 percent more expensive to manufacture in the United States compared to our major trade partners. The EPAs final proposal is expected by April 2012. Manufacturers across several industry sectors would be impacted by the unaffordable and unachievable suite of Boiler MACT rules, including the chemical, food processing, petroleum refining and forest and paper sectors. The EPAs originally proposed rules would cost manufacturers around $14 billion and would put 224,000 jobs at risk. The NAM strongly supports legislation that would provide the agency with an additional 15 months to re-propose the rules and consider a more reasonable approach to setting emissions standards to ensure jobs and economic growth are not jeopardized. Such legislation (H.R. 2250) recently passed the House on a strong bipartisan vote of 275-142, and a companion bill is gaining traction in the Senate (S. 1392). Both H.R. 2250 and S. 1392 would provide regulatory relief to manufacturers by directing the EPA to re-issue boiler emissions standards that are achievable in practice and less burdensomea goal consistent with President Obama's executive order on improving regulations. The NAM is leading a coalition of over 300 organizations in support of this legislation. We strongly encourage the Senate to take a stand for jobs and pass the EPA Regulatory Relief Act as soon as possible, said Timmons. Americas job creators can no longer afford to be saddled with costly, burdensome and unrealistic regulations. Manufacturers use one-third of our nations energy supply. It is imperative to encourage and allow manufacturers to invest in our nations future and create jobs. While the employment report for November was better than expected, the economy remains fragile. Manufacturers simply will not be able to hire and train new workers and expand if they have to constantly purchase new equipment to meet the list of ever-changing regulations. Details: Alicia Meads, (202) 637-3174 and Chip Yost, (202) 637-3175.
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House-Passed Regulatory Reform Will Help Save Jobs and Grow the Economy. Last week, the House of Representatives passed two regulatory reform bills, the Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act (H.R. 527) and the Regulatory Accountability Act (H.R. 3010), with bipartisan support. The NAM key voted both measures. H.R. 527 passed by a vote of 263-159, with 28 Democrats supporting. It focuses on reducing the cost of regulations on small businesses and would strengthen the 30-year-old Regulatory Flexibility Act, which requires agencies to thoughtfully consider small entities while formulating rules and has saved businesses billions of dollars. H.R. 527 requires expanded public participation, increases transparency and closes the loopholes agencies use to avoid current requirements. H.R. 3010 passed by a vote of 253-167, with 19 Democrats supporting. This comprehensive regulatory reform bill would subject independent regulatory agencies, such as the National Labor Relations Board, to the same regulatory principles as Executive Branch agencies. Among other provisions, the bill would require agencies to consider a rules indirect costs and jobs impact and would expand legal tools available to challenge agency determinations. Manufacturers of all sizes are impacted by harmful and unnecessary regulations, but small businesses are disproportionally affected. The Small Business Administrations Office of Advocacy found that very small manufacturers pay an average of $28,300 in regulatory costs per employee. Details: Erik Glavich, (202) 637-3179.
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Energy & Resources Policy | Legislation Aims to Force Keystone XL Pipeline Issue. Republicans in both the House and Senate are attempting to use legislation to force the Administration to make a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline. The State Department this fall announced its intent to gather more information and put off final approval or rejection of the project until after the 2012 elections. In response to the Administrations further delay on the pipeline decision, Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN) introduced a bill last week that sets a 60-day deadline for the State Department to approve the pipeline based on the current Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)which will be deemed an adequate review of the situation. There is also a possibility that pending legislation to extend the payroll tax cut will include language to push for a swifter ruling on the Keystone XL pipeline. The NAM supports the legislative push to get the pipeline approved. The project would create 118,000 jobs and would bolster the U.S. economy at a time when we are struggling to rebuild and recover from the worst recession in generations. Details: Chip Yost, (202) 637-3175. {Back to top}
Tax, Technology and Domestic Economic Policy | NAM Urges 100-Percent Bonus Depreciation Extension. In a letter to congressional leaders on Wednesday, December 7, the NAM joined eight other associations urging legislative action now to extend the current 100-percent bonus depreciation provision through 2012. Absent congressional action, the provision will decrease to 50 percent on January 1, 2012. At this time of continued economic uncertainty and high unemployment, there is concern that the expiration of 100-percent bonus depreciation will reduce capital investments and the domestic jobs associated with them. This proposal is simply a timing change that would allow taxpayers a benefit now rather than in later years. In addition, bonus depreciation provisions enacted since 2008 have garnered broad, bipartisan support. Details: Monica McGuire, (202) 637-3076.
Senators Speak at NAM Advanced Manufacturing Event. NAM members joined representatives from the Departments of Defense and Energy in a packed hearing room on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, December 7, to discuss advanced materials and how they contribute to U.S. manufacturing growth. The honorary host of the event was the bipartisan Senate Science and Technology Caucus. Co-Chairs Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Mark Udall (D-CO) opened the event and highlighted the importance of technology in manufacturing. The panel of industry and government experts all agreed that our country has embraced manufacturing as critical to economic growthand that policymakers need to do the same. The overarching message was that leveraging the development of advanced materials in products and processes will benefit our global leadership position by reducing manufacturing and raw material costs. Details: Brian Raymond, 202-637-3072.
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NAM President and CEO Takes to Capitol Hill to Discuss Manufacturing. NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons was a featured speaker at a House Manufacturing Caucus briefing for members of Congress and their staff on Wednesday, December 7. Manufacturing Caucus co-Chairs Don Manzullo (R-IL) and Tim Ryan (D-OH) hosted the forum, where Timmons outlined the NAMs comprehensive blueprint to keep manufacturers in America competitive, A Manufacturing Renaissance: Four Goals for Economic Growth. Legislators commended the NAMs plan to bolster economic growth and create jobs and agreed to work more closely with the NAMespecially to encourage legislators to participate in manufacturing plant tours in their districts. The discussion focused on numerous manufacturing issues, including overregulation, affordable energy and the need for a skilled workforce. More than 60 House members participate in the Manufacturing Caucus, which was formed for the purpose of educating Washington on the importance of manufacturing and retaining a strong manufacturing base in America. Rep. Bono Mack Meets with NAM Members. On Tuesday, December 6, the NAM hosted a briefing with Rep. Mary Bono Mack (R-CA), chair of the House Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Subcommittee and a seven-time recipient of the NAM Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence. Representing a district in Southern California that has very few manufacturing jobs, Rep. Bono Mack expressed a desire to learn more about issues of specific concern to NAM members and agreed to participate in a plant tour in her district. She reaffirmed her commitment to oppose burdensome and excessive regulations that make it more difficult for manufacturers to grow and expand in the United States.
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Questions or comments? Please contact Clare James Johnson at cjohnson@nam.org. 
President and CEO: Jay Timmons
Senior Vice President, Policy and Government Relations: Aric Newhouse
Senior Vice President, Communications: Erin Streeter Managing Editor: Clare James Johnson Copyright © 2011 National Association of Manufacturers |
