America’s chemical makers create innovative products that help protect the environment, from fuel additives to lightweight, recyclable plastic packaging to “scrubbers” at coal-fired power facilities that dramatically reduce pollution. In fact, a groundbreaking study in 2009 by McKinsey & Company found that products of chemistry save twice the greenhouse gas emissions than are emitted making the products.

We employ this innovative spirit at our own facilities through the Responsible Care® initiative that is mandatory for all ACC members. Among the results: Since 1988, Responsible Care companies have reduced all hazardous air pollutant emissions by 75 percent, while the chemical industry overall increased production by 38 percent during the same period. Between 2008 and 2010, Responsible Care companies also reduced SOx emissions by about 12 percent and reduced NOx emissions by about 23 percent.

But there is more to be done. While we continuously improve our own performance, we also advocate cost-effective laws and regulations that improve our nation’s overall environmental performance and provide clear direction for American manufacturing.

America’s environmental policies must promote the shared national goal of a healthy environment while encouraging innovation and high-skilled, high-paying jobs in the business of chemistry here at home.

Environmental Regulations

Two U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations that would restrict emissions from myriad facilities are impractical and will cost American jobs—these regulations must be improved or stopped.

• Boiler MACT: Proposed standards on air emissions for hundreds of thousands of enterprises contain provisions that need more work to be achievable—these standards must be improved.

• Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions: EPA’s new regulations on GHG emissions will curtail new enterprises, significantly reduce investment in the United States and cost jobs.

Superfund Tax

Reinstating Superfund taxes on America’s chemical makers to help pay for hazardous waste site cleanup would unfairly target companies that did not create the sites and would erode our ability to compete globally.