AISI Disappointed by Boxer-Kerry Climate Bill
10/01/2009 - The American Iron and Steel Institute expresses its disappointment in the Boxer-Kerry climate bill, which aims to reduce emissions by 20% by 2020--beyond the House bill's target passed in June.
The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) expressed its disappointment in the Boxer-Kerry climate bill, known as the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, recently introduced by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Aiming to reduce emissions by 20% by 2020, the bill goes further than the House bill passed in June.
“We are concerned that this bill is a major step backwards from the House version of the bill as it will put even greater pressure on energy-intensive, trade-sensitive industries such as the steel industry,” said AISI President and CEO Thomas J. Gibson. He believes that the bill places a greater economic burden on the industry.
“We are concerned that this bill is a major step backwards from the House version of the bill as it will put even greater pressure on energy-intensive, trade-sensitive industries such as the steel industry,” said AISI President and CEO Thomas J. Gibson. He believes that the bill places a greater economic burden on the industry.
“The bill will establish an allowance rebate program similar to that in the House bill, but it does not provide the specificity needed to ensure that the program will be adequate to address the full impact of the bill on energy-intensive, trade-exposed industries,” Gibson continued. “Meanwhile, there is only a placeholder for an as yet unwritten border adjustment provision that will be critical to preventing the leakage of jobs and emissions from the United States that will result from this legislation. Clearly, much more needs to be done to make this bill acceptable, and we will be working to address these issues with those Senators who have expressed their commitment to ensuring a level playing field for American manufacturing.”
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. AISI plays a lead role in the development and application of new steels and steelmaking technology. The Institute comprises 24 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and 138 associate and affiliate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry.
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. AISI plays a lead role in the development and application of new steels and steelmaking technology. The Institute comprises 24 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and 138 associate and affiliate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry.
