Nearly 300 companies and associations, including the National Association of Manufacturers sent this letter today to both House and Senate leadership, with copies to all appropriate chairs and ranking members. In addition, each member of Congress and their environmental staffer received a copy.

The letter outlines broad support for H.R. 2250 and S. 1392, the EPA Regulatory Relief Act of 2011. This bipartisan legislation addresses the serious concerns that many manufacturers have regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Boiler MACT rules.

These rules place tens of thousands of high-paying manufacturing jobs at risk that our nation cannot afford to lose. Passing the EPA Regulatory Relief Act of 2011 will not only give facilities additional time to comply with the complex requirements of the rules, but would also provide direction and support for EPA to use its discretion to add flexibility and make the rules achievable.

Manufacturers need certainty in order to grow and compete. The EPA Regulatory Relief Act of 2011 is a crucial step in gaining that certainty and having secure, affordable and reliable energy sources.

Chip Yost is vice president for energy and resources policy, National Association of Manufacturers.