AISI Stays Active on Congressional "Trade" Front

In May, AISI helped promote legislation introduced by Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) addressing Non-Agricultural Market Access (NAMA) in the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Doha Round talks. This resolution (S.Res.495) seeks to lower trade barriers on manufactured goods and level the playing field for American workers and producers by creating a more fair tariff system that eliminates current disparities.

AISI President and CEO Andy Sharkey made several public comments and media statements in support of the "NAMA" resolution. AISI is currently working with Senator Bayh's office to promote this legislation and encourage support, as well as co-sponsorship from other Senate members.

Also this month, AISI reaffirmed its opposition to legislation offered by Rep. Joseph Knollenberg (R-MI) entitled the "American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act" (H.R. 4217). This bill would weaken U.S. trade law remedies and endanger domestic producers by making it easier for perennial trade law violators, such as China and Japan, to sell dumped and subsidized products in the U.S. This legislation currently has 49 co-sponsors, following Rep. Randy Kuhl's (R-NY) recent decision to withdraw his direct support for the bill.

AISI issued a "Steelgram" and met with numerous Congressional offices to emphasize the disastrous impact this bill could have on the U.S. economy, member-company steel producers and domestic manufacturing in general.

To view AISI's memorandum opposing H.R. 4217 please visit the Steelgrams section of the AISI Public Policy Web homepage.

AISI Hosts "Environmental Briefing" for Congressional Steel Caucus Staff, EPA Officials and Capitol Hill Media Outlets

In late April, AISI held a briefing on Capitol Hill to showcase the North American Steel Industry's commitment to a sustainable future. Highlights of this event included an announcement of this year's steel recycling rate - which grew to an astonishing 76%, or 450 million tons of steel; energy-intensity improvements - 28% decline in intensity per ton of steel shipped since 1990; and emissions breakthroughs - 17% reduction in aggregate C0₂ emissions per ton of steel shipped, which dwarfs the Kyoto Protocol's call for a 7% cutback by 2012.

Over 25 congressional staffers attended the briefing, along with representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and several reporters from Washington-based news organizations. In addition to providing many important facts about the North American steel industry's strong environmental record, those present at the briefing were also given a "Recycling with Roscoe" steel lunch box, courtesy of the Steel Recycling Institute (SRI).

Panel participants for the event included: Jan Hartke, Executive Director of Earthvoice, Bill Heenan, President of SRI, Steve Rowlan, General Manager of Environmental Affairs for Nucor Corporation, Andy Sharkey, AISI's president and CEO and Larry Kavanagh, AISI's vice president of Manufacturing and Technology.

Update: Natural Gas Exploration Legislation

The Institute continues to encourage grassroots advocacy on this issue by associate and member companies. For those parties interested in getting involved, please consider sending a letter to your elected officials by simply logging on to AISI's "Legislative Action Center" and clicking on the Action Alert button.

New "Beltway" Research Tool Declares AISI's Micro-Site Amongst "Top #25" Most Viewed Web Pages

The National Journal's "Policy Council," an innovative web-based research tool that provides Congressional staff and Capitol Hill reporters with timely information, updates and position papers on current policy issues, has announced its 2006 1st quarter usage report. AISI ranked #22 overall (out of 85 members) with 563 total page views for the months of January through Mid-April. The sections receiving the most visits included the Public Policy Contacts, North American steel industry Trade Priorities, and important Energy & Environment Issues.

Finishing near AISI in the rankings were the ExxonMobil Corporation (#21) and the National Restaurant Association (#23). To view the entire "Top #25" list please visit the Key Articles section of AISI's Public Policy Web pages.

AISI Meets with Senator Byrd Weiley Rein & Fielding's Eileen Bradner (left), U.S. Steel's Scott Salmon (second from left), and AISI's Andy Sharkey (right) talk "steel" with Senator Robert C. Byrd (D-WV). Later this month, Senator Byrd—an ardent supporter of the North American steel industry for over 47 years—will surpass the late Senator Strom Thurmond (R-SC) to become the longest serving Senator in United States history.

Check Out AISI's Public Policy Efforts on the Web

AISI's Public Policy Homepage

AISI's Legislative Action Center

National Journal's Policy Council - AISI Micro-Site Homepage

For more information on these Web sites, please contact Matt Davison.