Multi-Industry letter supporting S. 1610, the “Cement Sector Regulatory Relief Act of 2011"

The Honorable [ ]
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator [ ]:

On behalf of the millions of American jobs supported by the infrastructure and construction sectors, the
undersigned organizations urge you to cosponsor S. 1610, the “Cement Sector Regulatory Relief Act of
2011,” a bipartisan bill introduced this fall by Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Joe
Manchin (D-WV), and Mary Landrieu (D-LA).

The bill provides much needed support for construction and infrastructure jobs, requiring that the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) re-propose four recently issued rules directed at cement
manufacturers. On December 9, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals issued an opinion relating to
industry’s challenge of one of these rules – NESHAP - and characterized EPA action as “arbitrary and
capricious” and “cavalier and unscientific,” statements which vindicate the policy rationales underlying
the bipartisan S. 1610.

In addition to robust statements from a high federal court, there are other strong policy rationales to
support legislation that gives industry more time to meet new standards. A recent study found that one of
these regulations alone - NESHAP - will force the closure of approximately 18 of the nation’s nearly 100
cement manufacturing plants and ultimately the loss of approximately 80,000 jobs in the construction,
cement and related sectors. In addition to downsizing American payrolls and manufacturing capacity, the
rule will cost $3.4 billion for the cement sector to implement before September 2013 for an industry that
currently generates barely more than $6.5 billion in annual revenue.

By requiring re-proposal of four EPA regulations, S. 1610 will give the construction and cement
industries time to recover from the steepest economic downturn since the 1930s. Cement makers are not
shying away from environmental regulations. The industry has a long history of investing in energy
efficient technologies that preserve U.S. manufacturing jobs and enhance environmental quality.

As Congress and the Administration move forward with a bipartisan, pro-jobs, pro-infrastructure agenda,
we urge you to support construction and infrastructure jobs by signing onto S. 1610 as a co-sponsor.  Thank you very much for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

American Road & Builders Transportation Association*
American Coal Ash Association*
American Concrete Pavement Association*
American Concrete Pipe Association*
American Council of Engineering Companies*
American Highway Users Alliance
American Iron and Steel Institute*
American Society of Civil Engineers*
American Subcontractors Association*
American Traffic Safety Services Association*
Asphalt Emulsion Manufacturers Association*
Asphalt Recycling & Reclaiming Association*
Associated General Contractors of America *
Associated Equipment Distributors*
Association of Equipment Manufacturers*
Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute*
International Slurry Surfacing Association*
International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers*
International Union of Operating Engineers*
Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust*
Laborers’ International Union of North America*
National Asphalt Pavement Association*
The National Association of Manufacturers
National Association of Surety Bond Producers*
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association *
National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association*
National Utility Contractors Association*
Portland Cement Association *
Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute*
The Road Information Program*
The Transportation Construction Coalition*
The United States Chamber of Commerce
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America*

*Denotes membership in the Transportation Construction Coalition

Read the Letter: 

S. 1610 Coalition Letter.pdf