| Media Contact: Jennifer Scott Phone: 703-741-5813 |
America’s chemical industry is the largest energy consumer in the manufacturing sector. Chemical companies use large amounts of natural gas—more than the state of California—both to heat and power our facilities and as a raw material for chemistry that goes into thousands of consumer and industrial products. Other U.S. industries also depend on natural gas for production, among them steel, aluminum, cement and agriculture.
Given our industry’s reliance on natural gas for production, one of our most pressing challenges is its cost and volatility. In some countries, natural gas can be purchased for far less than in the United States. Chemical makers and other manufacturers simply cannot compete effectively in the global market when the cost of one of their key “inputs” is so much higher. Consumers see the impact as well—in their home heating and electricity bills—natural gas is increasingly used for electricity generation—and in the cost of products they buy that are made with natural gas, as higher energy costs ripple through the supply chain.
Government policies exert significant influence on domestic energy price and supply. Clearly, consensus has developed in Congress that current OCS policy—a blanket ban on energy development off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts—must be changed. America’s energy needs require expanded access to domestic sources. ACC has long advocated for a balanced energy policy that includes efficiency, conservation, diversity (including renewables) and expanded domestic energy supply. As these issues continue to occupy center stage in Congress, these will remain our key priorities.
climate change policy
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Cal Dooley Discusses Climate Solutions ACC President Cal Dooley discusses the importance of reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs) and protecting high paying U.S. manufacturing jobs. Dooley explains how the business of chemistry is part of the climate solution because chemistry products go into many energy-saving and renewable energy applications that reduce GHGs. See why providing solutions and innovations to today’s environmental challenges requires a comprehensive energy and climate change policy that ensures access to competitively priced and diverse energy sources. » watch video |
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Employees of the business of chemistry share their thoughts on sound climate change policy that balances U.S. jobs and environmental protection.
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[To view the videos, Windows Media Player is required.]
Right now the Administration and Congress are focused on reducing GHG emissions, creating jobs and helping the economy recover. We think the worst prescription for the environment and the economy would be for EPA to begin regulating GHGs at America’s industrial, commercial and other business facilities—known as “stationary sources”—before Congress has had adequate time to develop a sound emissions reduction policy. That’s a very real possibility if Congress does not postpone EPA regulation of stationary sources.
Our business, the business of chemistry is part of the climate solution. Chemistry products go into many energy-saving and renewable energy applications that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Any legislation to implement a national climate policy, whether it adopts a cap and trade system or some other approach needs to ensure that American business remains competitive in the global economy and that good jobs stay here at home.
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news and highlights
Cal Dooley Comments on the Impact of Moratorium on Deepwater Oil and Natural Gas Development (The Hill's Congress Blog) » view comments Cal Dooley Participates in Teleconference on EPA GHG Stationary Source Regulation [3/22/2010] » view transcript | » listen to audio Coalition for American Jobs Addresses Concerns on EPA’s Proposed Action on GHG Regulations » view website Cal Dooley Discusses the Potential Impact of EPA Regulation of Stationary Sources of GHGs (E&ETV) » watch video Audio Conference and Materials: American Materials Manufacturing Alliance (AMMA) Says Many Concerns for U.S. Manufacturing in Senate EPW Climate Bill » learn more New Study Confirms Key Role for Chemical Industry in Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions » learn more Cal Dooley Comments on Energy and Environment Issues on National Journal’s Experts Blog » view comments AMMA Letter to Senate EPW Committee Members on Climate Legislation, July 15, 2009 » view letter ACC Allowance Allocation Testimony to House Energy and Environment Subcommittee, June 9, 2009 » view testimony Cal Dooley Welcomes Washington, DC Attendees to a U.S. News & World Report National Issues Briefing: “Energy and Climate Change in the Obama Administration and 111th Congress,” January 13, 2009 » view transcript |
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Resources:
- ACC Issue Brief on Energy and Climate
- ACC Climate Policy Recommendations
- Energy-Saving Products Enabled by Chemistry
- Principles for Global Policies to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- Energy and Climate Solutions Through American Chemistry
- How American Chemistry Helps the U.S. Save Energy
- Chemistry’s Contribution to Energy and Efficiency Conservation
- AMMA Paper on Allowance Allocation Policies in Climate Legislation [June 8, 2009]
- ACC Letter on Clean Energy Loan Guarantees [February 3, 2009]
- ACC Letter on the Economic Recovery Bill [January 26, 2009]
- ACC Clean Energy Economic Recovery Proposals Paper [December 2008]
- Cal Dooley Discusses Energy, Climate, Rail Policy and Chemical Regulation [September 30, 2008]
- ACC Testimony: The Future of Coal Under Carbon Cap and Trade [September 6, 2007]
Media Coverage:
- U.S. Utility-First Climate Bill Sparks Opposition [Reuters, 7/14/2010]
- Carbon Emissions Cap-And-Trade Law Can't Pass, Senator Rockefeller Says [Bloomberg, 7/14/2010]
- Industry Groups Target Utility-Focused Climate Plan [The Hill, 7/14/2010]
- ACC President and CEO Cal Dooley Comments on the Impact of Moratorium on Deepwater Oil and Natural Gas Development [The Hill's Congress Blog, 7/8/2010]
- ACC President and CEO Cal Dooley Speaks on New Climate Policy [The New York Times, 5/11/2010]
- Legislate, Don't Regulate, Says Chemical Lobby [National Journal/Insider Interviews Blog, 4/20/2010]
- Cal Dooley Comments: Should Congress Defang EPA And The States? [National Journal's Energy and Environment Experts Blog, 4/12/2010]
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