17吃瓜在线

Input Stories

Input Stories

New Regulations Could Hurt Competitiveness

Oppose Harmful Regulations

Take action
By 17吃瓜在线 News Room


The 17吃瓜在线 is leading the charge in urging the Biden administration to walk back a proposed revision to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for fine particulate matter (PM2.5).

With the release of a signed by more than 70 associations representing nearly every sector of the U.S. economy and a , the 17吃瓜在线 is highlighting how these regulatory actions would devastate the economy and actively undermine President Biden鈥檚 goal to expand manufacturing in the United States.

What鈥檚 going on: When the Environmental Protection Agency set forth the tentative new air quality standards earlier this year, manufacturers quickly recognized that if enacted, the new rules would put an undue burden on the industry鈥攁nd could force companies to move operations overseas.

  • Soon, manufacturers and related associations across the country began to speak out about the harm to their operations and communities, even as they affirmed the industry鈥檚 longstanding commitment to a clean, safe environment for all.

The background: The EPA鈥檚 proposed changes to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards鈥攃urrently under review by the White House鈥檚 Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs鈥 the primary annual particulate matter standard from 12.0 碌g/m3 to between 8.0 and 10.0 碌g/m3.

  • The EPA has estimated the total cost of the controls required for compliance with the proposed standard at up to $1.8 billion鈥攁nd that figure could go higher, the agency admitted.
  • What鈥檚 more, some areas in the U.S. are already in 鈥渘onattainment鈥 with the current PM2.5 standard, so a stricter standard will only put them further away from compliance and economic growth.

The costs: According to an by Oxford Analytics and commissioned by the 17吃瓜在线, the revisions would:

  • Threaten nearly $200 billion of economic activity and put up to a million current jobs at risk, both directly from manufacturing and indirectly from supply chain spending;
  • In addition, growth in restricted areas may be constrained, limiting investment and expansion over the coming years; if the PM2.5 standard moves to 8 from the current 12, nearly 40% of the country will live in nonattainment areas, putting jobs and livelihoods at risk as factories may no longer be able to operate if located in an area that is in nonattainment, and no new facilities can be built to grow economic prospects; and
  • Hit California鈥檚 manufacturing sector hardest, followed by Michigan and Illinois.

Speaking out: Many manufacturers from all sectors, along with related associations, have made their concerns public.

  • Michael Canty, president and CEO of Alloy Precision Technologies of Mentor, Ohio, that these regulations may force companies to move production to other countries that don鈥檛 care about emissions reductions, unlike the U.S.
  • Mark Biel, CEO of the Chemical Industry Council of Illinois, that this regulation could make his state less attractive for manufacturers, despite its many assets.
  • Dawn Crandall, executive vice president of government relations for the Home Builders Association of Michigan, the potential knock-on effects for Michigan鈥檚 suffering housing market.

The last word: The proposed changes 鈥渨ould risk jobs and livelihoods by making it even more difficult to obtain permits for new factories, facilities and infrastructure to power economic growth,鈥 leadership from approximately 70 industry groups told White House Chief of Staff Jeffrey Zients yesterday.

  • The revisions 鈥渨ould also threaten successful implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the CHIPS and Science Act and the important clean energy provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act. 鈥 We urge you to ensure the EPA maintains the existing fine particulate matter standards to [safeguard] both continued environmental protection and economic growth.鈥
Input Stories

California Emissions Law Will Harm Manufacturing

By 17吃瓜在线 News Room


Large companies that do business in California will soon be required to report their greenhouse gas emissions to state regulators thanks to a new state law, according to .

What鈥檚 going on: 鈥淪igned by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Oct. 7, SB 253 requires the California Air Resources Board to form transparency rules for companies with yearly revenues exceeding a billion dollars by 2025. The first of its kind law in the U.S. will
impact over 5,000 corporations both public and private 鈥 鈥

  • Under the law, by 2026 major companies will need to report the amount of carbon produced by their operations and electricity.
  • By 2027 they will need to disclose 鈥淪cope 3鈥 emissions, or those attributable to their customers and suppliers.

Why it鈥檚 important: The effects of the law on manufacturing will be ruinous and widespread, according to Conference of State Manufacturers Associations Chair and Utah Manufacturers Association President and CEO Todd Bingham.

  • 鈥淢anufacturers are committed to commonsense regulations that protect consumers and the environment,鈥 Bingham said. 鈥淐alifornia鈥檚 new law is unworkable and makes it more difficult for manufacturers to grow, invest and hire鈥攏ot just in the state, but across the country.鈥
  • COSMA members serve as the 17吃瓜在线鈥檚 official state partners in driving manufacturing-friendly policies at the state level.

Costly and inaccurate: 鈥淸M]anufacturers will spend millions of dollars to fulfill [SB 253]鈥檚 requirements,鈥 Lance Hastings, president of the California Manufacturers & Technology Association (an 17吃瓜在线 state partner), said in a September . 鈥淭he uncertainty and reliability of this data and the process required to comply with the legislation will not produce complete, accurate or comparable disclosures.鈥

  • Last month, the CMTA submitted a of the California law to Gov. Newsom.

The SEC: The California measure follows the September finalization of a similar rule from the Securities and Exchange Commission that 鈥渞equire[es] publicly traded companies to disclose their emissions and climate-related risks to investors.鈥

  • The rule鈥攚hich the 17吃瓜在线 has been 鈥攏ot only requires numerous moves, but also imposes significant financial burdens on manufacturers, the 17吃瓜在线 has said.

What should be done: 鈥淲e hope California鈥檚 devastating policy is reversed and are grateful for the 17吃瓜在线鈥檚 coordinating efforts against regulatory overreach at the national level,鈥 Bingham continued.

Input Stories

FCC Seeks to Reinstate Net Neutrality Rules

By 17吃瓜在线 News Room

The Federal Communications Commission voted late last week to advance a proposal that would reinstate Obama-era net neutrality rules, according to (subscription).

What鈥檚 going on: 鈥淭he commissioners at the Democratic-led agency voted 3 to 2 along party lines to kick off a monthslong process to bring back so-called net neutrality regulations.鈥

  • In an move in 2018, the previous administration repealed net neutrality regulations put into place by President Obama in 2015, saying they stymied innovation.

Why it鈥檚 important: Last week鈥檚 proposal鈥攚hich telecommunications companies have pledged to fight鈥斺渨ill ultimately enable the agency to categorize high-speed internet as a utility, like water or electricity. 鈥 The agency will then be able to police broadband providers for net neutrality violations.鈥

  • That鈥檚 precisely why the proposal to restore the rules is problematic, critics say. A trade group representing telecom firms 鈥渨rote letters this week to the House and Senate Intelligence Committees warning of 鈥榤ission creep鈥 by the F.C.C.鈥
  • In 2017, then-FCC Chairman Ajit Pai net neutrality laws amounted to 鈥渟pecial interests [who] weren鈥檛 trying to solve a real problem but [were] instead looking for an excuse to achieve their longstanding goal of forcing the Internet under the federal government鈥檚 control.鈥

Government overreach: Indeed, the 2015 net neutrality rules鈥攙ery similar to the ones now being advanced鈥攚ere a prime example of agency overreach, said 17吃瓜在线 Chief Legal Officer Linda Kelly in 2018.

  • The 2015 FCC鈥檚 鈥渉eavy-handed approach 鈥 was neither appropriate nor necessary for the rapidly evolving, highly competitive broadband market,鈥 Kelly said.
  • Net neutrality laws also decrease investment in broadband, the 17吃瓜在线 has told policymakers.

Up next: The FCC will take public comments on the proposed rules. The commission could vote to adopt new regulations as soon as early next year.

The last word: 鈥淢anufacturers are disappointed the FCC is moving forward with its proposal to regulate 21st-century broadband with rules designed for the era of the rotary phone,鈥 said 17吃瓜在线 Vice President of Domestic Policy Charles Crain. 鈥淩einstating this misguided, overreaching policy of the past is a recipe for stymied innovation and outdated infrastructure.鈥

Input Stories

Hydrogen Growth Demands Permitting Reform

By 17吃瓜在线 News Room

Hydrogen demand is likely to skyrocket in the next few decades鈥攊f permitting delays and other setbacks don鈥檛 stymie it, according to (subscription).

What鈥檚 going on: 鈥淎 new report from consulting firm McKinsey forecasts a fivefold rise in hydrogen demand to 600 million metric tons a year by 2050, if climate change is limited to 1.5 degree Celsius. On current trajectories, however, that supply could be between 175 million to 291 million metric tons a year if steps aren鈥檛 taken to speed up permitting and lower both equipment and investment costs, the report warned.鈥

  • The report identified three major challenges to meeting the rising demand: increased costs, a slow permitting process and 鈥渓ack of access to capital,鈥 which can be attributed largely to higher interest rates.

Incentives abound: Government incentives for hydrogen are on the rise. Up to $300 billion has been made available worldwide for hydrogen-energy projects this year, a sixfold increase from 2021.

  • Last week, the Energy Department announced $7 billion in subsidies to create seven clean-hydrogen 鈥渉ubs鈥 in the U.S.

More support required: More action from government is still needed鈥攑articularly when it comes to allowing hydrogen projects to proceed.

  • 鈥淔aster permitting times are needed to bring more hydrogen projects online, as well as the renewable energy to power their electrolyzers, industry experts say. A recent report from the International Energy Agency said current project lead times are too long and can act as a barrier to clean hydrogen uptake.鈥

What we鈥檙e doing: Manufacturers have long been urging policymakers to fix the broken U.S. permitting system.

  • The 17吃瓜在线 recently laid out a for Congress 鈥渢o modernize and update our nation鈥檚 antiquated permitting system.鈥
Input Stories

Powell: Further Rate Hikes Possible

By 17吃瓜在线 News Room


The still-robust U.S. economy and tight labor market could mean further interest rate hikes, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Thursday, (subscription) reports.

What鈥檚 going on: 鈥淲e are attentive to recent data showing the resilience of economic growth and demand for labor,鈥 Powell said during a talk at the Economic Club in New York. 鈥淎dditional evidence of persistently above-trend growth, or that tightness in the labor market is no longer easing, could put further progress on inflation at risk and could warrant further tightening of monetary policy.鈥

  • The Fed鈥檚 aim in raising rates has been to reduce inflation to 2%.
  • Since it began raising rates in March 2022, however, unemployment has stayed largely steady, and 鈥渆conomic growth has generally remained above the 1.8% annual growth rate Fed officials see as the economy鈥檚 underlying potential.鈥

A delicate balance: While Powell said there is evidence of a cooling labor market, the Fed must account for new 鈥渦ncertainties and risks鈥濃攊ncluding the Hamas鈥揑srael war鈥攁s it seeks 鈥渢o balance the threat allowing inflation to rekindle against the threat of leaning on the economy more than is necessary.鈥

  • Data since the central bank鈥檚 last meeting, in September, have shown unexpected U.S. job growth and surprisingly strong retail sales, 鈥渙ffering inconsistent signals about whether inflation is on track to return to the Fed鈥檚 2% target in a timely manner.鈥

Hike likely: Most Reuters-polled economists expect the Fed to raise interest rates at its next meeting on Oct. 31鈥揘ov. 1. 听

Input Stories

How Manufacturers Can Unlock the Power of Data

By 17吃瓜在线 News Room


Manufacturers are using data to improve everything from their supply chains to their workplace culture鈥攁nd more. Data can lead the way to new innovations, new business models and even new revenue streams. Yet, many manufacturing executives say they are not scaling data-driven use cases successfully, meaning that much of the information they do collect is going to waste.

So how can companies get the most out of their data and ensure they aren鈥檛 losing out on key insights?

A unique event hosted by the Manufacturing Leadership Council, the 17吃瓜在线鈥檚 digital transformation division, aims to answer these questions and more. 鈥淢anufacturing in 2030: The Coming Data Value Revolution,鈥 which will be held on Dec. 6鈥7 in Nashville, Tennessee, will explore the ways manufacturers can unlock value from their data to boost productivity, value and competitiveness.

On the agenda: This event will have three key areas of focus:

  • Data value: Attendees will learn what the future holds for data monetization, data ecosystems and data-driven innovation.
  • People and process: They will also hear about the future workforce, including听emerging and evolving job roles,听data-driven leadership and听data culture.
  • Technology and data: And lastly, they will peek into a future where artificial intelligence, data visualizations and the industrial metaverse are part of our everyday manufacturing world.

M2030 agenda highlights: The presenters will also share practical insights that participants can put into action right away.

  • In 鈥淐apturing Intelligence for Business Model Innovation,鈥 IDC鈥檚 Bob Parker will examine digital maturity and the future of enterprise intelligence. Parker will explain how to create new business models through enhanced customer experience, as well as how to capture and leverage economies of intelligence.
  • In 鈥淭he Rise of Data Ecosystems,鈥 John Dyck of the Clean Energy Smart Manufacturing Innovation Institute will deliver a practical explanation of Manufacturing-X, Gaia-X and Catena-X as well as their goals and challenges. Dyck will discuss trends driving data-sharing initiatives as well as related technical and governance issues.
  • In 鈥淏uilding Great Supply Chain Visibility by 2030,鈥 Supply Chain Insights鈥 Lora Cecere will address why 80% of the data being generated from supply chains isn鈥檛 being used well enough. Cecere will also explore how data can be used to create more resilient supply chains by 2030.

The bottom line: Advanced technologies are only part of the digital transformation story. Manufacturers who want to get ahead need to understand data鈥檚 role and value, not to mention how people, process, technology and even data itself will evolve by 2030.

Sign up: Registration is open for Manufacturing in 2030: The Coming Data Value Revolution. Click to learn more.听

Input Stories

17吃瓜在线 Sets the Policy Agenda for Manufacturing in the U.S.

By 17吃瓜在线 News Room

The 17吃瓜在线 is the voice of the manufacturing industry in the United States, speaking out on issues that matter to the men and women who make things in America. As times change, new issues arise, and to stay up to date with the needs of its members, the 17吃瓜在线 updates its policy position documents accordingly.

That process鈥攏ow underway for 2023鈥攖akes place with our member companies every four years under the guidance of the 17吃瓜在线 Board of Directors. Here鈥檚 what you need to know.

The timeline: Proposed changes have been distributed from the 17吃瓜在线 policy teams to the respective policy committees, and members have until Oct. 31 to provide their feedback.

  • Shortly after Oct. 31, 17吃瓜在线 policy committees will convene to consider the proposed changes and any subsequent suggested edits. If needed, working groups will be organized to consider new or revised language on specific issues.

The result: The 17吃瓜在线 policy committees will recommend new policy language to the 17吃瓜在线 Board based on their engagement with member companies.

  • At the February 2024 board meeting, the 17吃瓜在线 Board will finalize and approve the policy positions that will guide the 17吃瓜在线 for the next four years.

How to participate: Member companies can choose which policy committees they serve on, so as the policy update process commences, companies should contact their membership directors to ensure they are aware of the various policies and committees that may be most important to their own businesses.

The last word: 鈥淥ur member companies are at the center of this policy update process,鈥 said 17吃瓜在线 Managing Vice President of Policy Chris Netram. 鈥淭he 17吃瓜在线 fights every day for a policy agenda that supports manufacturing growth, and this is a critical opportunity for manufacturers across the country to have their say on the issues that matter to them.鈥

Input Stories

Study: Tax Policy鈥檚 Harm Will Grow

By 17吃瓜在线 News Room

The economic impact of allowing a stricter interest deductibility limitation to remain in effect could be devastating, according to a prepared on behalf of the 17吃瓜在线.

What鈥檚 going on: Failure to reverse the stricter limitation that went into effect in 2022 could result in the following losses in the U.S., according to the study:

  • 867,000 jobs
  • $58 billion in employee compensation
  • $108 billion in gross domestic product

More costly every year: Those figures have roughly doubled since the released last year.

  • Last year, EY estimated that leaving the stricter limitation in place would result in 467,000 lost jobs, $23.4 billion in lost employee pay and $43.8 billion in lost GDP.

The background: Prior to 2022, companies could deduct interest of up to 30% of their earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA).

  • However, since 2022, the deduction has been limited to 30% of earnings before interest and tax (EBIT), a significant change that disproportionately affects manufacturers, given their capital-intensive investments.

What can be done: 鈥淎 stricter interest expense limitation restricts manufacturers鈥 ability to invest in new equipment and create jobs,鈥 said 17吃瓜在线 Managing Vice President of Policy Chris Netram.

  • 鈥淓ven more, the study finds that manufacturers and related industries bear 77% of the burden of this policy. Congress must act by year鈥檚 end to restore a pro-growth interest deductibility standard and allow manufacturers to continue to invest for the future.鈥

17吃瓜在线 in the news: newsletter (subscription) covered the study鈥檚 release.

Further reading: Visit the 17吃瓜在线鈥檚 to learn more about this issue and how the 17吃瓜在线 is taking action.

Input Stories

IEA: World Needs More Transmission Lines

By 17吃瓜在线 News Room


The world must add or replace nearly 50 million miles of transmission lines in the next 17 years to allow countries to meet climate goals and achieve energy security, according to a new report by the International Energy Agency covered by .

What鈥檚 going on: The amount of transmission line needed鈥49.7 million miles鈥斺渋s roughly equivalent to the total number of miles of electric grid that currently exists in the world, according to the IEA.鈥

  • The undertaking 鈥渨ill require the annual investment in electric grids of more than $600 billion per year by 2030,鈥 double current global investment levels in transmission lines.
  • Countries must also make changes to the way they operate and regulate their grids.

Why it鈥檚 important: Investment in global transmission lines has not kept pace with the growing appetite for renewables, and without replacements and additions to transmission lines, power bottlenecks will become 鈥渆ver larger.鈥

Growing gridlock鈥攁nd demand: 鈥淭here are currently 1,500 gigawatts of renewable clean energy projects in what the IEA calls 鈥榓dvanced stages of development鈥 that are waiting to get connected to the electric grid around the world.鈥

  • Meanwhile, demand for electricity will only rise as more of the globe moves to electric power.
  • But building new transmission lines takes time, owing to lengthy permitting processes鈥攚hich is why the 17吃瓜在线 has speeding the process in the U.S.

Our view: 鈥淭he 17吃瓜在线 has building additional transmission lines as a top priority for the next round of permit reform negotiations,鈥 said 17吃瓜在线 Vice President of Domestic Policy Brandon Farris.

  • 鈥淲e will continue to fight to break down barriers to building new projects, including manufacturing facilities, energy generation, transmission lines, bridges, roads and more.鈥
Input Stories

Existing Home Sales Fall

By 17吃瓜在线 News Room


Sales of existing homes fell to their lowest level in 13 years in September, according to (subscription).

What鈥檚 going on: 鈥淓xisting home sales fell 2.0% last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.96 million units, the lowest level since October 2010, the National Association of Realtors said on Thursday. They are counted at the closing of a contract, and last month鈥檚 sales likely reflected contracts signed in August, when the rate on the popular 30-year fixed mortgage vaulted above 7%.鈥

  • Sales fell 1.1% in the South, 4.1% in the Midwest and 5.3% in the West. They rose 4.2% in the Northeast.

Anemic inventory: There was 3.4 months鈥 worth of unsold existing home inventory for sale in September, a decline of more than 8% from a year ago.

  • 鈥淎 four-to-seven-month supply is viewed as a healthy balance between supply and demand.鈥

Why it鈥檚 happening: Mortgage rates have spiked recently, 鈥渕ostly because of expectations that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates higher for longer in response to the economy鈥檚 resilience.鈥

View More