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NAM: Manufacturers Lose As EPA Doubles Down On Regs

Over the past 30 years manufacturers have been subjected to more than 2,000 regulations. More rigorous regulations are not the answer when jobs are at risk, and we just witnessed the loss of another 7,000 manufacturing jobs last month, NAM says.

Particulate Matter Regulation Will Hinder Growth, Stifle Job Creation and Add to an Already Uncertain Economic Future

WASHINGTON -- The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) President and CEO Jay Timmons released this statement on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which was released today:

“With the fiscal cliff only a few weeks away and so much hanging in the balance, the EPA displayed a staggering level of shortsightedness by dropping another harsh regulation on America’s job creators. This new standard will crush manufacturers’ plans for growth by restricting counties’ ability to issue permits for new facilities, which makes them less attractive for new business. Essentially, existing facilities will have to be shuttered for new facilities to be built in these areas. This is not a conducive way to create jobs.

The NAM weighed in throughout the process urging the EPA to retain the current standard of 15 µg/m3, which will continue to drive PM2.5 reductions at a manageable cost. However, the agency opted to move forward with a more aggressive and damaging regulation. Over the past 30 years manufacturers have been subjected to more than 2,000 regulations. More rigorous regulations are not the answer when jobs are at risk, and we just witnessed the loss of another 7,000 manufacturing jobs last month.

The EPA’s actions today will only further dampen manufacturers’ already dismal outlook for 2013. Manufacturers’ optimism has plummeted since the beginning of the year due to the poor business environment, according to the latest NAM/IndustryWeek Survey of Manufacturers. It is time that the EPA works with manufacturers on sensible regulations.”

The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing has a presence in every single congressional district providing good, high-paying jobs. For more information about the Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

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