Input Stories

Reforming and modernizing the Clean Air Act is critical to manufacturers’ strategy to unleash American energy and lead the world in the development of artificial intelligence, the NAM told the House Congressional Western Caucus recently.

What’s going on: Complex, often overlapping and needlessly costly requirements in the 55-year-old legislation have long hamstrung the energy projects needed to bring clean, abundant, affordable and reliable energy to Americans, NAM Director of Energy and Resources Policy Michael Davin told the caucus at a panel event.

• “Increasingly, regulations under the CAA are holding back manufacturing and energy investment,” Davin wrote in a social media post following the discussion. “By setting air quality standards that are at or near natural background levels, imposing onerous requirements on new and expanding facilities and failing to account for international emissions, the status quo leaves energy and manufacturing dominance at risk.”
• Some 80% of manufacturers say the length and complexity of the permitting process is harming increased investment in projects, according to a recent NAM report, and 87% say they would expand their business operations and increase hiring and/or worker benefits if permitting were simpler.

What the NAM’s doing: This week, the NAM called for action during these “12 Days of Permitting Reform” as the House weighs important permitting reform measures, including NAM-supported efforts to modernize the New Source Review and National Ambient Air Quality Standards programs.

• “Manufacturers support the House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s work to modernize the CAA to ensure a workable permitting process with realistic timelines, stakeholder engagement and an embrace of innovative and creative solutions to help reduce emissions,” Davin continued in his post.
• The NAM is also working toward the adoption of a comprehensive manufacturing strategy to spur investment, fortify America’s energy future and cement U.S. leadership in emerging technologies, including AI.

What must be done now: The Energy and Commerce Committee should advance the seven bills  it is considering to reform the CAA, including the New Source Review Permitting Improvement Act and the Foreign Emissions and Nonattainment Clarification for Economic Stability Act this week to set up House floor action at the beginning of the new year.

• “In the spirit of the holiday season, we are calling for legislative action during this year-end work window to deliver a gift of a new, workable permitting system that will fuel America’s manufacturers,” NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons said.