AISI Comments on “Clean Competition Act” Introduced Today

WASHINGTON, DC– Kevin Dempsey, president and CEO of the American Iron and Steel Institute, issued the following statement on the “Clean Competition Act” introduced today by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). The legislation would establish carbon border fees on some imported goods with higher greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity than the emissions intensity of competing U.S.-made goods:

“The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) welcomes Senator Whitehouse’s proposed system of carbon intensity-based tariffs on higher emitting foreign imports that are one aspect of the Clean Competition Act. As the American steel industry leads the world in low-carbon steel production, a carbon tariff approach will help level the playing field for American steel producers and ensure that domestic industry investments in cleaner production processes are not undercut by high-carbon-emitting steel made overseas.

“AISI strongly opposes the Clean Competition Act’s proposed tax on domestic carbon emissions, however. This provision penalizes domestic producers who are making great strides towards decarbonization and would deprive domestic steel producers of the very capital needed to continue investing billions of dollars in decarbonization and innovation in the United States.”

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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 also plays a lead role in the development and application of new steels and steelmaking technology. AISI’s membership is comprised of integrated and electric arc furnace steelmakers, and 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 or Twitter (@AISISteel)