AISI Commends House Energy and Commerce Committee Passage of Ratepayer Protection Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Kevin Dempsey, president and CEO of the American Iron and Steel Institute, today applauded the bipartisan passage by the House Energy and Commerce Committee of the Ratepayer Protection Act— sponsored by Reps. Gabe Evans (R-CO) and Kathy Castor (D-FL):

“The House Energy and Commerce Committee should be commended for its actions to address important concerns about rising electricity demand and costs through a revised and improved version of the Ratepayer Protection Act. AISI appreciates the committee’s action to amend the Ratepayer Protection Act to narrow its scope to focus on the challenges related to computational large-load electricity users. This important change will permit the domestic steel industry to continue investing in American manufacturing and job creation, while enhancing electrical grid reliability during times of systemic stress,” said Kevin M. Dempsey, AISI president and CEO.

“We thank Chairman Guthrie, Ranking Member Pallone and the committee for hearing our concerns and narrowing this bill to ensure it does not impose new costs and regulatory burdens on American steel producers. American steelmakers have worked for decades with the communities where we operate to ensure rate stability and grid reliability. The amended legislation strikes the right balance, and we are pleased that the committee acted to ensure steel plants and other industrial operations are not unintentionally harmed.”

AISI had previously raised concerns that the Ratepayer Protection Act, as originally introduced, would have treated manufacturing facilities the same as data centers, creating cost and regulatory uncertainty for existing and future American steelmaking operations.

-####-

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, steel pipe and tube manufacturers and steel processors and fabricators, reflecting the production and distribution of both carbon and stainless steels. These steels are critical to America’s national and economic security, including roads and bridges, buildings, the electrical grid, cars and trucks and all clean energy technologies. AISI also represents 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.