Manufacturers in the U.S. Are Leading the Way on Sustainability, Outpacing Global Competitors

ATLANTA, GEORGIA, UNITED STATES, May 10, 2023/EINPresswire.com/ -- A new report conducted by Oxford Economics and commissioned by the National Association of Manufacturers warns that the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed air quality regulations for particulate matter (PM2.5) are projected to threaten $162.4 billion to $197.4 billion of economic activity and put 852,100 to 973,900 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. Due to these limited opportunities for expansion or investment, these areas in nonattainment could lose out on an additional $138.4 billion in output and 501,000 jobs through 2027.

Overall, the regulations could make it extraordinarily difficult to create new manufacturing jobs and protect existing manufacturing jobs in areas out of attainment. The regulations could also prevent much needed infrastructure improvements in these areas. This is because compliance with the regulations could require restricting manufacturing operations, resulting in fewer jobs, less investment and higher costs for consumers and families.

“Improving air quality in the U.S. is a top priority for manufacturers, and we’ve worked for years to make progress in delivering some of the cleanest manufacturing processes in the world,” said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. “This analysis makes clear these new regulations will weaken our ability to invest in the technology and processes that would continue to reduce emissions—while jeopardizing high-paying manufacturing jobs. We need to let manufacturers do what they do best: innovate and deploy modern technologies to protect the environment, while creating jobs and strengthening the economy.”

“This new analysis shows that the EPA’s proposed rule could hinder Georgia’s manufacturing industry,” said Georgia Association of Manufacturers President Lloyd Avram. “Imposing new, burdensome regulations at a time when a recession is threatening, has the potential to help make that threat a reality. Georgia manufacturers need policies that help bolster growth and innovation and the EPA’s proposed rule would do just the opposite.”

Key Findings:

- The regulations create a total economic exposure of $87.4 billion for manufacturing economic activity, equal to 2.4% of the U.S. manufacturing sector’s gross value added.
- The number of manufacturing jobs associated with this exposed activity is 311,600, or 1.9% of all U.S. manufacturing employment.
- Manufacturing in the U.S. exposed to the proposed standard supports between $75 billion and $110 billion in GDP and between 540,500 and 662,300 jobs in the U.S. through supply chain spending.
- Due to limits on expansion and investment, the proposed rule would put at risk approximately $138.4 billion of gross value added (in 2021 prices) and 501,000 jobs in 2027 in areas of nonattainment.
- Under the proposed rule, 200 counties could be placed out of attainment.
- In Georgia, the regulations create a total economic exposure of $1.5 billion for manufacturing economic activity and threaten 7,600 jobs.
- Manufacturing operations in the U.S. are environmentally cleaner than the global average.

Find the latest information on the NAM’s efforts to oppose top-down air regulations, including statements from manufacturing leaders, here.

-NAM -

The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.90 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 55% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.


- Georgia Association of Manufacturers (GAM) -

GAM is the statewide trade association that represents all of Georgia's manufacturing businesses in legislative, regulatory and public relations matters. Founded in 1900, GAM also provides seminars, services and guidance to manufacturers on a wide range of issues, including but not limited to human resources, workforce development, public utility rates and energy, safety and health, employee benefits, environmental quality and taxation.

Active membership in GAM is open to all businesses in Georgia that are engaged in manufacturing. The Association also is supported by many Associate members who provide goods and services to Georgia's manufacturers.

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