NAM SUBMITS COMMENTS ON CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY

Manufacturing News, Source : The Manufacturer US
Published : 22 Mar 2007 21:48

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 22, 2007 – In comments submitted today to the House Committee on Energy & Commerce regarding climate change policy recommendations, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) advised leadership to find a balance between protecting our environment and continuing to grow our economy.

“Affordable and reliable energy is essential to the long-term health of the U.S. economy and its citizens,” NAM President John Engler said. “To this extent, I urge all members to be thorough in their examination of any policy that may harm the balance between economic growth and protection of our environment. We can have both – and with due diligence we will.”

To achieve this, the NAM recommended that any climate change proposals must be flexible, global in scope, pre-empt state climate laws, transparent, considerate of our economy and viewed in context of an overall energy policy. Additionally, any proposal that does not anticipate global participation will be doomed to simply transfer the emissions from one country to another.

Moreover, the NAM explained that climate change policy should be viewed in the larger context of an energy policy. “Any proposed climate change legislation should carefully consider its impact on future energy prices, potential fuel switching, energy technology development, and the realistic fuel mix for how America will make electricity and fuel its vehicles in the next 10, 20, and 50 years,” the NAM said.

Citing manufacturer’s leadership in increasing energy efficiency and conservation, Engler added that the NAM will continue to be proactive on both the energy and environmental front. “Knowledge of the environment is not static, nor is our ability to protect it,” he said.

In February, the NAM unveiled its Energy Security for American Competitiveness (ESAC) proposal outlining the energy needs of manufacturers in America and offering a comprehensive blueprint to both increase energy efficiency and meet energy needs.

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