US steel associations applaud introduction of ‘Prove It’ Act
Two US domestic steel associations are supporting this week’s congressional introduction of the so-called “Prove It” Act, which would verify the carbon intensity of steel from various sources, Kallanish learns from association statements.
The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) and the Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA) applaud the formal introduction of the “Providing Reliable, Objective, Verifiable Emissions Intensity and Transparency Act” to the US House of Representatives on 9 July.
The Prove It Act authorises a comprehensive study by the Department of Energy to compare the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensities of certain goods, including steel, produced in the US to those produced internationally. The study is expected to provide detailed, specific and transparent data on emissions to assess the environmental standards of foreignly produced products.
AISI president and chairman Kevin Dempsey explains that passing the Prove It Act protects US domestic steel producers and their investments in emissions-reduction efforts.
“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,” states Dempsey.
Dempsey notes that US steel producers are at a disadvantage when inexpensive foreign products with fewer GHG restrictions are permitted to be sold in the US.
“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 mentions.
SMA president Philip Bell applauds the effort by both major political parties to bring the legislation to the US House.
“SMA supports the bipartisan Prove It Act because we know that it will demonstrate conclusively that American steel has the lowest carbon emissions in the world. A US Department of Energy study determining the emissions intensity of domestically produced goods will show the world that American steelmakers have a significant carbon advantage over their counterparts in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and everywhere steel is made. We look forward to working with Congress to make sure we get the best bill possible,” states Bell.
Republican Representative John Curtis of Utah and Democratic Representative Scott Peters of California introduced the Prove It Act to the US House of Representatives. Earlier this year, Republican Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota and Democratic Senator Chris Coons of Deleware introduced the bill in the US Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (see Kallanish 16 May).
Kristen DiLandro USA
