ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY HEADLINESEnvironment and Sustainability
AISI Supports Efforts to Halt EPA Regulation of Stationary Sources
Mar. 5, 2010 The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) applauded efforts in both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives to prevent “economically damaging action” by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate greenhouse gases from stationary sources.
Most American manufacturing facilities, including steel mills, would be impacted, the Institute claims.
“We are very encouraged by signs of a growing awareness that Congress must act now to stop EPA from regulating greenhouse gases from stationary sources under the Clean Air Act,” said Thomas J. Gibson, AISI President and CEO. “Such legislative action is essential to preserving jobs and promoting economic growth while Congress considers comprehensive legislation to address climate change.”
Several different approaches are under consideration by Members of the House and Senate, Gibson said.
“The legislation introduced…by Senator Rockefeller and several Members of the House is an important step forward, and AISI appreciates their leadership on this issue,” Gibson said. “We also support the actions of Senator Lisa Murkowski and other Members of the Senate and the House from both parties who have introduced proposals to stop EPA regulation through the Congressional Review Act. This approach would likewise provide a vehicle for preventing EPA’s ill-considered regulatory approach. We urge Members of both parties now to work together to find a common approach that can be enacted into law as soon as possible to stop EPA from continuing on its present course.”
“The critical issue that we encourage all Members of the House and the Senate to focus on is the need for Congressional action to prevent EPA regulation of stationary sources of greenhouse gases and allow Congress to address this very complex issue through the legislative process,” Gibson continued. “Only a comprehensive legislative approach to climate change can address the important international competitiveness and carbon leakage issues that are critical to energy-intensive, trade-exposed industries like steel. And we particularly cannot afford to lose more valuable manufacturing jobs at a time of fragile economic recovery.”
AISI serves as the voice of the North American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the material of choice. It also plays a lead role in the development and application of new steels and steelmaking technology. The Institute comprises 25 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and 138 associate and affiliate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry.