Key Policy Issues for the
Metalcasting Industry
Modern Casting takes a look at pending legislative actions that could heavily impact the metalcasting industry. A MODERN CASTING STAFF REPORT
N
ew and updated U.S. policies in the works for the coming year will have considerable
impact on businesses within in the metalcasting industry if enacted. Much of the legislation that could have the most impact on the indus- try stems from new rules and regu- lations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), including the proposed rule to tighten silica permissible exposure limits and the Clean Power Plan. Metalcasters could face higher penalties and energy costs, even as the industry works to develop cost efficient and feasible methods of achieving better environmental results. Te pace of required reduction set forth by the proposed energy and environmental policies will be dif- ficult to match by the industry both economically and technically.
EPA’s Clean Power Plan Rule This summer, EPA is expected to
finalize a sweeping new regulation, known as the Clean Power Plan, to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from new and existing power plants. The proposal would transform how
20 | MODERN CASTING June 2015
Shown are the projected nonattainment areas of the proposed 65 ppb standard of the EPA Ozone Rule.
electricity is generated, transmitted, distributed and used. It will mandate existing power plants cut their emis- sions by 25% by 2020 and by 30% by 2030. For many states, especially those with fossil-fuel intensive electricity production, this could be a costly process requiring some elec- tricity plants to be shuttered. EPA’s
analysis shows the plan will force the closure of 46 to 49 gigawatts of coal-fired plant capacity—equal to about 15% of all U.S. coal-fired generation capacity. At least 40 states will face double digit increases in their electricity rates, according to NERA Economic Consulting as estimated in the report, “Potential
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60