AISI Builds Coalition for "Build Back Better" Federal Flood Program

The Gulf Coast Steel Initiative (GCSI) continues to make headway in helping with rebuilding efforts in the U.S. Gulf region in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. As we near the one-year anniversary of Katrina, the lessons that we are still learning are prominent. "'Building back better and stronger' is something we, along with many others, believe in, and is something the 11 supporting companies of GCSI feel they can collectively impact," said David Jeanes, senior vice president, AISI, who is primarily responsible for GCSI's business plan.

"We are working to ensure better building criteria in the Gulf Coast region," Jeanes said. AISI's Public Policy team and the Steel Framing Alliance, supporting organizations of GCSI, advanced an amendment for a House and Senate bill that would update the national flood insurance program to include the use of high-performance construction materials. The amendment states that: "To the extent practicable, federal funds should be utilized for residential buildings that comply with nationally recognized codes and standards, and for which mechanisms are in place for state-based enforcement. In addition, construction methods utilized should improve construction efficiencies and help ensure affordability."

"This amendment is significant because our industry was able to build support for it with other building materials industries," said Chip Foley, director of market development, public policy. AISI, the American Forest and Paper Association (AFPA), the Portland Cement Association (PCA) and the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) are meeting with U.S. Senate and House staff to secure support for the amendment. If passed, this legislation would significantly impact future rebuilding efforts in the Gulf Coast region that utilize federal funding.

Other Gulf Coast Steel Initiative activities:

• Steel Framing: The Steel Framing Alliance (SFA) is establishing Builder Partnerships among selected builders who are dedicated to rebuilding the Gulf Coast area with steel. The SFA is working with contacts at Gulf Coast area vocational schools/community colleges to establish a steel-framing curriculum in order to produce a workforce that can be directly employed by the companies that are part of the builder partnership. A similar curriculum to teach steel roofing techniques is being developed by the Metal Roofing Alliance.
  
  
• Insurance Companies: The business case for improved performance by residential steel framing and roofing has been developed and presented to State Farm Insurance, the largest insurer in the region, and to Allstate Insurance. The insurance industry has demonstrated an interest in learning more about the performance of steel that will provide the basis for reducing the insurance rate on cold-formed steel-framed homes. The SFA is also providing information on residential steel framing for the insurance industry's Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) Builders Guide.

• Building Codes/Standards: Since the hurricanes, Louisiana has passed a law establishing a mandatory state code based on the International Building Code/International Residential Code, which includes criteria established after Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and is supported by AISI. Implementation and enforcement will need to be established. Mississippi is now considering mandatory codes in the coastal counties only.

  The Prescriptive Method is currently being revised to include information that increases steel framing requirements for wind loads from 125 mph to 150 mph. It is expected that the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) balloting for this standard will be completed in August, with the final standard to be released in September.

• Environmental/Recycling Support: The Steel Recycling Institute (SRI) continues to be involved in discussions with heads of state and local Departments of Environmental Quality (DEQs) on the cleanup effort in the Gulf Coast region. SRI was represented at Restoration 2006, a forum in New Orleans for business leaders interested in rebuilding the Gulf Coast region. SRI is also in discussions with representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to have EPA assume responsibility for maintaining SRI's nationwide recycling database. The database provides information for businesses and consumers on where to bring all recyclable materials. SRI is seeking additional funding from Congress to support that effort.
  
  
• Communications: Media representatives continue to respond with interest to the industry's efforts in this region, with articles appearing in Purchasing Magazine, American Metal Market, and the Times-Picayune, among others. A media/informational kit is already in use for insurance industry meetings and briefings with the local media. In addition, the Communications Team is gearing up to produce a consumer-oriented special event to showcase the benefits of steel framing and roofing and those builders offering steel solutions. Such events could include the construction of a steel-built "Katrina Cottage," demonstrating Gulf Coast region models framed and roofed with steel.

The supporting companies of GCSI are AK Steel Corporation, California Steel Industries, Inc., Dofasco Inc., IMSA ACERO, S.A. de C.V., IPSCO Inc., Mittal Steel USA, Nucor Corporation, Shenango Incorporated, Steel Dynamics, Inc., United States Steel Corporation, USS-POSCO Industries and Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corporation. For more information, contact Debbie Bennett or Elizabeth Vago.