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AISI Applauds Presidential Executive Order on Infrastructure

The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) sent a letter to President Barack Obama applauding his recent signing of Presidential Memorandum implementing Executive Order 13604 (Improving Performance of Federal Permitting and Review of Infrastructure Projects) to expedite the approval process for infrastructure projects in the United States. AISI president and CEO, Thomas J. Gibson, said in the letter:
“Our nation’s infrastructure needs are at an all-time high. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, the deteriorating state of surface transportation infrastructure alone will cost the American economy more than 876,000 jobs and suppress the growth of the country’s Gross Domestic Product by $897 Billion by 2020. As manufacturers, we know that infrastructure modernization in transportation, energy and other sectors is necessary for our nation to remain internationally competitive, yet the biggest challenge facing project delivery is undoubtedly the length of time it takes to review and approve a project. For AISI member companies, delays in project delivery result in inefficiencies, added costs and lost opportunities.”
Gibson continued, “The President’s initiative to cut red tape by establishing best practices, increasing transparency and employing efficient and concurrent interagency coordination will go far in ensuring that taxpayer dollars at the federal, state and local levels are given the best return on their investments. We thank the President and look forward to working with him to get our nation’s infrastructure and economy back on track.”