The National Association of Manufacturers has begun a multistate campaign that calls on Congress and the Obama administration to consider the negative impact environmental regulations could have on job growth and economic recovery.
The multimillion-dollar initiative began March 28 with television and radio ads in Arkansas, Maine, Missouri, Ohio and Pennsylvania, NAM said. The six states were selected based on their strong manufacturing base, said NAM spokesman Michael Frohlich.
NAM has not yet determined whether it will expand the campaign beyond the selected regions, Frohlich said.
Manufacturers have already invested billions of dollars to comply with federal environmental laws, said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons in a statement. But EPA proposals for new regulations will raise costs for manufacturers, stifling their ability to compete globally, he said.
"At a time when America is rebounding from a serious recession, we need policies that help manufacturers by using incentives to create jobs rather than imposing regulations that create more uncertainty, diminish our competitiveness and discourage investment," Timmons said.
NAM has voiced its support for legislation that would overturn EPA emissions regulations enacted on Jan. 2. The law regulates greenhouse-gas emissions from new and modified facilities under the Clean Air Act.
NAM contends the law creates uncertainty and potential permitting delays that will hinder manufacturers' competitiveness and abilities to create jobs.
Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) and Reps. Fred Upton (R-MI) and Ed Whitfield (R-KY) introduced draft legislation on March 3 called The Energy Tax Prevention Act that would block the EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse-gas emissions from stationary sources under the Clean Air Act.
