ACC Applauds Senator Brown, Eight Colleagues for Letter to Senators Kerry, Graham and Lieberman

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Apr 15, 2010, 12:43 ET

Senators Highlight Need for Clean Energy Legislation to Maintain U.S. Manufacturing Competitiveness and Jobs

ARLINGTON, Va., April 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and eight other Senators wrote to Senators Kerry (D-MA), Graham (R-SC) and Lieberman (ID-CT) expressing their belief in the need for clean energy legislation to maintain U.S. manufacturing competitiveness and jobs as it reduces greenhouse gas emissions. The letter describes key provisions for a manufacturing package in clean energy legislation. In addition to Senator Brown, signatories included Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Carl Levin (D-MI), Robert Casey (D-PA), Arlen Specter (D-PA), Mark Warner (D-VA), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Evan Bayh (D-IN) and Kay Hagan (D-NC).

The chemistry industry provides some of the most widely-used products and technologies for energy efficiency and renewable energy, including solar and wind power, building insulation, lightweight vehicle parts, compact fluorescent light bulbs, lithium-ion batteries, energy-efficient appliances, automotive and industrial lubricants, and many others while employing nearly 850,000 Americans and supporting 4.6 million U.S. jobs.

American Chemistry Council (ACC) President and CEO Cal Dooley issued the following statement:

"We applaud Senator Brown and his colleagues for their steadfast efforts to ensure that clean energy legislation recognizes the global competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing as a priority for our economic and national security. They have described a number of important provisions needed to avoid the loss of good American manufacturing jobs and the 'leakage' of greenhouse gas emissions from the United States to other, more carbon-intensive nations, which would result in higher net global emissions.

"We agree with the Senators that safeguarding American jobs and our manufacturing competitiveness requires a variety of measures to promote manufacturing investment, contain the costs of policies, and implement a robust transition assistance program for U.S. manufacturing until there is a level international playing field. We strongly support the Senators' call for energy-intensive manufacturing sectors like the business of chemistry to obtain assistance in keeping energy costs low, and to preserve jobs, investment and our competitive position by full funding of transition assistance.

"Policies that drive expansion of low-emission industrial technologies and clean energy innovation are important elements of any national greenhouse gas emission reduction policy. ACC fully supports the effort to encourage investment in energy efficiency and re-tooling for clean energy manufacturing via programs such as a manufacturing revolving loan fund, expansion in the 48 (c) advanced energy manufacturing tax credit, and other tax incentives; support for research and development for low-carbon industrial technologies; support for clean energy manufacturing; energy cost containment; a phase-in for U.S. manufacturers to allow for planning and transition; and full funding for rebates for energy-intensive, trade-exposed industries. We also support the idea that a new federal policy supersedes the existing provisions of the Clean Air Act under which EPA is regulating GHG emissions at stationary sources.

"The U.S. manufacturing sector is the engine of our economy. Moreover, it is the only sector of the U.S. economy to have made significant progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving energy efficiency. An effective national energy and climate policy must address the key interests of U.S. manufacturing.

"We look forward to working with Senator Brown and his colleagues as they continue to champion U.S. manufacturing and highlight ways the United States can reduce greenhouse gas emissions without impairing U.S. competitiveness, robust economic growth and job creation."

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The American Chemistry Council (ACC) represents the leading companies engaged in the business of chemistry. ACC members apply the science of chemistry to make innovative products and services that make people's lives better, healthier and safer. ACC is committed to improved environmental, health and safety performance through Responsible Care®, common sense advocacy designed to address major public policy issues, and health and environmental research and product testing. The business of chemistry is a $689 billion enterprise and a key element of the nation's economy. It is one of the nation's largest exporters, accounting for ten cents out of every dollar in U.S. exports. Chemistry companies are among the largest investors in research and development. Safety and security have always been primary concerns of ACC members, and they have intensified their efforts, working closely with government agencies to improve security and to defend against any threat to the nation's critical infrastructure.

SOURCE American Chemistry Council