Regulatory Reform on the Agenda in Washington


A glut of new regulations on industry could have a lasting impact on how metalcasters conduct business. A MODERN CASTING STAFF REPORT


W


hen it comes to key policy decisions in Washington, D.C., the metalcast-


ing industry continues to be most impacted by new and proposed federal regulations from the U.S. Environ- mental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).


From the new silica standard to


the lowered national ozone standard, new environmental regulations will require significant investments from metalcasting facilities to become compliant. However, bills in the House and Senate could help alleviate some of the burden through regula- tory reform and more time and flex- ibility for implementation.


Beyond regulations, metalcasters also stand to be affected by potential and much needed investment in the country’s infrastructure, which will require critical casting production and usage.


Regulatory Reform Federal regulation is estimated to


Metalcasters face several impending federal regulations that will impact their operations.


cost more than $2 trillion annually. Dollars spent on regulatory compli- ance for cumbersome or duplicative regulations are dollars not spent on capital investment or hiring new employees and can be particularly burdensome for small businesses. In the past couple of years, dozens of major regulations carrying an eco- nomic impact of $100 million or more have been finalized. Here are a few examples of regulations that will be exceptionally difficult for manufactur- ers to meet: • Clean Power Plan (CPP):The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Power Plan requires states to cut carbon emissions from power plants. CPP would increase average electric- ity prices in 40 states by at least 10%, costing households up to $79 billion. The plan could force many


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