New Mexico's Success Relies on American Chemistry

Chemistry Creates, America Competes.

From supply chain, climate, and sustainability challenges to energy efficiency, power delivery, national security, and infrastructure needs, our nation depends on the products and innovations made by America’s chemical industry. 

Chemistry enables electric vehicle production, semiconductors, affordable housing, reliable infrastructure, and effective, modern healthcare technologies. It is the driving force behind everyday products like smartphones and computers.

According to a Morning Consult poll conducted on behalf of ACC, 79% of New Mexicans, including 68% of Democrats, are concerned about the potential impact of increased restrictions on the U.S. chemical sector on local economies who depend on it for jobs and economic activity.

New Mexicans are right to be concerned since chemistry provides over 1,200 direct and related jobs.

Chemistry Creates America Competes Worker Installing Solar Panels

Overregulation Weakens New Mexico’s Economy

71%

Of New Mexico adults are concerned that imposing additional restrictions on the chemical sector could increase the cost of renewable energy and two-thirds of these adults are concerned about hindering technological innovation.

A surge in new restrictions and lack of coordination between the Biden Administration and its agencies is handicapping the chemical industry’s ability to create products that New Mexico relies on.

New proposed restrictions could limit access to and increase the cost of essential products, harming the U.S. economy, jeopardizing American competitiveness in the global market, and delaying progress for industries and sectors with urgent and growing needs.  

This jeopardizes our competitiveness in sectors like domestic renewable energy production. New Mexico is becoming a southwestern hub for renewable energy, with increasing investments in wind, solar, and energy storage projects. The state is projected to be second in the nation for solar energy production. Smart, science-based regulations are needed to support manufacturers’ ability to operate and innovate to support renewable energy priorities.

Chemistry Creates America Competes Wind Turbines

New Mexico Priorities at Risk

We support responsible regulation that puts science first, promotes innovation and supports supply chain resiliency. 

There are currently 13 proposed new restrictions with the potential to directly impact the chemical industry. Some aim to outright ban certain chemistries. Others may regulate chemistries to levels where manufacturing becomes unviable or impossible.

The growing disconnect between the Administration’s priorities and proposed regulations by its agencies is creating an increasingly untenable situation for chemical manufacturers. For example, the Administration touts the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) as one of its signature achievements and “the largest investment in clean energy and climate action ever.” The Administration contends the IRA could prompt up to $15 billion of investment in large-scale clean power generation and storage to New Mexico by the end the decade and create jobs across solar, wind, storage, and other clean energy industries. However, proposed restrictions from federal agencies like EPA on chemistries needed to manufacture components for wind turbines and solar panels could undercut this national priority.

If enacted, these restrictions have the potential for a detrimental impact on the supply chains for vital technologies, including clean energy solutions like EVs, semiconductors, and many modern healthcare applications. Decreased access and affordability of these essential products could be further consequences of imposing flawed restrictions.

Unless the Biden Administration and Congress take a different approach to how they create and apply regulations, New Mexicans could experience unintended consequences of these policy and regulatory choices at home. When asked about high inflation causing financial strife in the same survey: 

73%

Of New Mexico adults agree now is not the time for new federal restrictions that could increase the cost of goods like vehicles, homes, consumer electronics, and household products.

70%

Of New Mexico Democrats agree now is not the time for new federal restrictions that could increase the cost of goods like vehicles, homes, consumer electronics, and household products.

Chemistry Creates America Competes U.S. Capitol Building

Get Involved

For chemical manufacturers, the situation must change. Together, we can address these flawed restrictions.  

Without appropriate oversight and the use of sound science to drive regulation, critical chemistries have the potential to suffer, along with the innovations and jobs that rely on them. 

We call on the Biden Administration, federal agencies, and Congress, to support frameworks that celebrate innovation and accelerate progress.

Tell Congress & President Biden to support policies that empower chemistry, promote American innovation and strengthen U.S. competitiveness.

Act now!

Resources

What New Mexicans Believe About Regulatory Overreach on Chemical Sector - Fact Sheet

Chemistry Creates, America Competes.

American success relies on American chemistry.

Proposed restrictions on U.S. chemical manufacturers stifles American innovation, jobs, and competitiveness.

Learn how sound policies can keep American chemistry competitive.

Learn more