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State Policy News
CDPHE Air Pollution Control Division will Hold Stakeholder Meeting on June 9th
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a state implementation plan (SIP) call action, directing states to remove affirmative defenses for excess emissions from startup, shutdown and malfunction (“SSM”) events from their Clean Air Act SIPs. The EPA action at issue, as well as additional background information, is available on this EPA website.
Next Tuesday, June 9, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Air Pollution Control Division will hold a stakeholder meeting regarding potential changes to the relevant sections of Colorado’s Clean Air Act SIP that address affirmative defenses for startup, shutdown, and malfunction events, and the necessary state regulatory process for enacting potential SIP changes. The stakeholder meeting will occur from 1:00-3:00pm at CDPHE’s office located at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, room C1E.
CACI strongly encourages member businesses, particularly manufacturing and Energy & Environment Council members, to attend and participate at this stakeholder meeting.
Federal Policy News
CACI’s Curtsinger Attends NAM Manufacturing Summit In DC
This week, Leah Curtsinger joined 400+ other NAM manufacturers from across the country to “storm the Hill” for the 2015 Manufacturing Summit. During two meeting-packed days, she sat down with our Colorado Congressional delegation and their staffs, heard from Jay Timmons and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker on the importance of U.S. trade agreements in keeping U.S. manufacturers competitive, and educated members of Congress about tax, environmental and energy issues important to manufacturers of all sizes. The final presentation of the conference was made by Amy Walters of the Cook Political Report. She addressed the political landscape, with pros and cons, for the upcoming 2016 Presidential election and talked about the need for manufacturers to get involved in elections and know their candidates, since ‘elections have real consequences for business.’
If you are a NAM member and didn’t get to attend this year, mark your calendar for next year!
Congressional Updates:
- Trade Promotional Authority (TPA): After passing the Senate May 22nd, TPA is likely to see a vote in the House in the next week or two. If you support TPA, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and free trade, please let Leah Curtsinger know at [email protected] or (303) 866-9641 so we can share your support with our Congressional delegation.
With a TPA agreement, future trade agreements are fast-tracked to establish preferred trade relationships, plus many of the most burdensome tariffs, taxes and restrictions on U.S. manufacturers are lifted when trade agreements are signed.
- Ex-Im Bank: Senate leadership came to an agreement the week before last which allowed TPA to move forward and guaranteed an “up-or-down” vote for Senators to re-authorize passage of the Export-Import Bank. An up-or-down vote means the legislation cannot be bogged down by amendments (in Congress, germaneness of amendments isn’t required) but this also limits changes some members have said are needed to guarantee their ‘yes’ vote. CACI continues to support a re-authorization of the Ex-Im Bank for what is currently does to support the Colorado economy and what it will continue to do for us in the future.
- Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) Reform: This legislation would update U.S. standards for chemical use, recommended safety precautions and storage, for the first time in almost 30 years. CACI sent a support letter to our delegation this spring and Congresswoman DeGette has been actively involved in negotiations to move this legislation forward, after raising recent concerns. The subcommittee she sits on approved her amendments at the end of last week and the bill was marked up by the full House Energy and Commerce Committee on which she sits, on Tuesday. CACI is very supportive of the strong partnership between industry and regulators in this process, as businesses are being recognized for developing best practices and providing first-hand expertise as the bill moves forward in the House. A vote for final passage in the House may come as soon as the last week of June.