WASHINGTON (March 2, 2022) — The American Chemistry Council’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Chris Jahn, released the following statement in response to President Biden’s 2022 State of the Union address.
“As Congress and President Biden consider their next steps for climate and energy policies, infrastructure development, growing innovation, and ending the ongoing pandemic, the chemical industry stands ready to work constructively with policy makers and regulators to solve some of the biggest challenges facing our nation and our world.
- “Chemistry can help fight climate change. Chemistry enables energy-saving and renewable applications including solar panels and wind turbines, electric and fuel-efficient vehicles, high-performance building materials, advanced batteries, semi-conductors, energy-efficient lighting and more.
- “The investments to enable an ‘Infrastructure Decade’ will rely on the products of chemistry to make our highways, bridges and rail lines more resilient and sustainable, for decades to come.
- “We support refocusing U.S. efforts toward making supply chains more resilient through greater cooperation with allies and prioritizing intermediate inputs neither made in the United States nor made in sufficient quantity or quality. We would also welcome an opportunity to work with the Administration to identify incentives for U.S. chemical manufacturers to continue to invest in manufacturing in the United States while still maintaining our industry’s global competitive advantage which global supply chains have helped make possible.
- “We agree that we must move goods fast and cheaper in America. Promoting greater competition among freight carriers – especially ocean and freight rail carriers - is one of the best ways to fight inflation, bolster our supply chain and support U.S. manufacturing.
- “Chemistry is a key element of the economy, touching virtually all manufactured goods and supporting key industries such as automotive, building and construction, agriculture, healthcare, textiles and apparel, and computers and electronics. Our industry has been a driver of U.S. investment and job creation over the past decade. We’ve invested nearly $100 billion in new factories and expansions in that time, with another $109 billion planned or under construction.
“We would caution the Administration to avoid adopting policies that will penalize an industry that enables progress on its climate and economic goals. We look forward to working with the Administration and Congress to turn the challenges we face into opportunities and strengthen the American people and the American Union.”