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Castings are found in more than 90% of all U.S. manufactured goods and equipment and in industry sectors such as energy, automotive, defense, aerospace, agriculture, medical, municipal, plumbing, transportation and construction.


come to an agreement within 120 days. According to industry advocates,


existing National Labor Relations Board procedures for private ballot elections ensure elections are held promptly, typically within 60 days of the petition. In the fi rst half of 2008, unions prevailed in 66.8% of elections. The advocates have urged Congress to oppose the Employee Free Choice Act.


EPA Regulation of


Greenhouse Gas Emissions In 2009, the U.S. Environmental


Protection Agency (EPA) issued an endangerment fi nding that stated greenhouse gases are a danger to public health and should be regulated as pollutants under the Clean Air Act. The act was designed to control air pollution by requiring individual sta- tionary pollutant sources to institute emission control technologies. EPA plans to regulate both large


and small manufacturers. Unlike a bill drafted by Congress to specifi cally ad- dress this issue, the existing statute is not structured to handle greenhouse gases in a way that recognizes regional differences, the state of technology and economic impact. EPA’s regulation of the emissions would permit the agency to determine what energy sources will be used, how much energy will be used and by whom. Advocates for the metalcasting in-


dustry believe this regulatory scheme is an ineffi cient and ineffective ve- hicle to address the global problem of climate protection and that Congress is the appropriate regulating body. They have asked Congress to support resolutions of disapproval in both the Senate and House that prevent EPA from regulating greenhouse gases.


Policies that Strengthen U.S. Manufacturing


Metalcasting provides employment


to more than 200,000 men and women directly and supports thousands of other


MODERN CASTING / June 2010


Industry advocates have asked Congress to support policies that strengthen manufacturing in the U.S., including prohibiting the use of stimulus funds for projects utilizing foreign components.


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jobs indirectly. The industry is com- prised mostly of small American-owned businesses, with 80% having fewer than 100 employees. Castings are found in more than 90% of all U.S. manufactured goods and equipment and in industry sectors such as energy, automotive, defense, aerospace, agriculture, medi- cal, municipal, plumbing, transportation and construction. Industry advocates therefore believe


U.S. metalcasters should play a critical role in the country’s economic future. As


the nation’s unemployment rate sits near 10%, metalcasters have urged Congress to support policies that accelerate and strengthen manufacturing production in the U.S. by changing key tax, trade and economic policies and making invest- ments in infrastructure, including energy and transportation projects, including the following: • Expand and make the research and development tax credit permanent.


• Fix the federal estate and generation- skipping transfer taxes.


• Lower the statutory corporate tax rate. • Hold China and other countries ac- countable for currency manipulation.


• Prohibit the use of stimulus funds for projects utilizing foreign manufactur- ing components.


MC For More Information


Visit www.metalcastinggov.com for more information on the government affairs is- sues affecting the metalcasting industry.


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