SteelBriefs | Rep. Nancy Mace (SC-01) Profile

Why is the steel industry important to your state and/or district? And to America? 

Steel is vital for rebuilding American infrastructure and American steel is consistently the backbone of new infrastructure projects in this country. We make American steel right here in South Carolina’s 1st Congressional district at the Nucor plant in Berkeley County. Earlier this year, I hosted a town hall style conversation with steel workers and learned more about the specific concerns and issues are facing. Across the country, the American steel industry directly or indirectly supports nearly two million jobs and is a crucial part of our manufacturing economy. 

Our industry’s legislative priorities are: ensuring unfair trade practices are addressed and a level playing field is established, implementing the Section 232 steel tariffs and quotas, and investing in infrastructure. What are your thoughts on these issues?  

We should always invest in American infrastructure, and we will continue to make sure our steel industry can succeed on the global stage. Tariffs and quotas have provided an important step in closing the price gap between American steel and foreign, often inferior products. As a conservative on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, it’s important to support policies which enable, not stifle, competitive prices for American firms, increase our domestic supply, and lower costs for consumers, while not compromising on quality of steel manufactured.  

With new legislation signed into law to provide funding for infrastructure, will you advocate for the use of American steel, which is the cleanest and most energy efficient?  

American steel is not only of the highest quality, it is also the cleanest and most energy-efficient on the market. Steel produced in China generates nearly twice as much carbon emissions as steel produced here in the U.S.  As a member of the Conservative Climate Caucus, it is important to support industry which lessens our impact on the environment and spurs innovative technological growth on a macro scale. It really is this simple – any policy which pushes steel manufacturing out of America ultimately increases it’s negative environmental impact and compromises safety and health considerations.  

Steel is a critical component in the continued development of clean energy and technologies to reduce America’s carbon footprint. What are your thoughts on sustainability and how the steel industry is innovating to meet the needs of customers?   

Steel production certainly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and America’s carbon footprint. However, there are major efforts being made to ensure production is cleaner and more efficient than ever before. Both in America and across the world, we are seeing new and innovative technologies which will help American steel manufacturers lead the way for a more sustainable future. 

Steel production is obviously extremely energy intensive, but over the last 50 years, we have seen a major reduction in energy consumption because of new technologies like the electric arc furnace. Further improvements will continue to help steel production become even more efficient in coming years. 

Do you have any other comments or statements about the steel industry? 

I look forward to, and Americans can look forward to continued innovation, growth, resilience and perseverance from the steel industry. Our track record shows Americans have and will find newer and better ways to get jobs done, and I encourage those striving for careers to consider this industry, especially in SC where manufacturing is our backbone.