AISI Applauds Introduction of “PROVE IT” Act in House

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Kevin Dempsey, president and CEO of the American Iron and Steel Institute, today applauded the introduction of the “Providing Reliable, Objective, Verifiable Emissions Intensity and Transparency (PROVE IT) Act,” sponsored by Reps. John Curtis (R-UT) and Scott Peters (D-CA). The bill authorizes a comprehensive Energy Department study to compare the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity of certain goods, including steel, produced in the U.S. to the emissions intensity of those same goods produced in other countries.

“American steel is the cleanest in the world and American steel producers are investing significant dollars to further reduce emissions. But these investments will be put at risk if American steel is undercut by dumped imports from countries with much higher emissions. Trade-distorting policies in many countries continue to contribute to massive global overcapacity in steel — much of which is from countries that are producing steel that is much more carbon emissions-intensive than American steel, including China, India, Indonesia and other Southeast Asian nations,” Dempsey said. “We need policies to demonstrate this current imbalance in emissions and hold the high emitting producers from overseas accountable for their much higher carbon emissions. The PROVE IT Act would do as its name implies by creating an official source to verify the superior carbon efficiency of vital American industries, like steel, and give policymakers the data needed to make the case for action. We applaud Reps. Curtis and Peters for introducing this critical bipartisan bill, and for their commitment to improving the accountability of the most GHG-intensive global producers.”

Dempsey said the bill also includes industry-supported provisions to clarify that the legislation will not be used to establish a fee or greater regulation of domestic GHG emissions. A similar Senate version of the PROVE IT Act legislation passed the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee by a vote of 14-5 in January.

-###-

Contact: Lisa Harrison

202.452.7115 / lharrison@steel.org

AISI serves as the voice of the American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI’s membership is comprised of integrated and electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmakers reflecting the production of both carbon and stainless steels which are critical to the everyday lives of all Americans — including national security, roads and bridges, the electrical grid, clean energy technologies and the automotive market. AISI also represents nearly 80 associate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry. For more news about steel and its applications, view AISI’s website at www.steel.org. Follow AISI on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter (@AISISteel) or Instagram.