AISI American Iron and Steel Institute : "Very Concerned" About EPA Announcement on Light Duty Vehicle Rule

For Immediate Release

January 13, 2017

Washington, D.C. - The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) expressed disappointment and concern over the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) announcement today that it was finalizing greenhouse gas emissions standards for 2022-2025 model year light duty vehicles, despite the long-standing agreement with auto makers to conduct a robust mid-term evaluation. AISI and its customers in the auto industry have significant concerns about these proposed standards and have been working with the EPA and other agencies to continue to provide comments on the rule. However, EPA rejected a host of requests to extend the abbreviated comment period on the proposal. Today's final determination comes just a few weeks after that comment period ended.

Thomas J. Gibson, president and CEO of AISI, said, 'Steel is a key part of the solution for the auto sector in their work to lower greenhouse gas emissions. However, we are very concerned that the good faith efforts by our industry and our customers were short-circuited by the outgoing Administration this week. EPA's attempt to push through a final regulation, before all of the public comments were thoroughly considered, contradicts their commitment to coordinate its rulemaking across other agencies and in cooperation with stakeholders. We are very disappointed and will be working with the incoming Administration to continue to help automakers ensure that vehicles remain affordable, consumers continue to have a wide range of vehicle choices, and jobs are preserved.'

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Contact: Lisa Harrison
202.452.7115 / [e-mail]

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AISI serves as the voice of the North American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI also plays a lead role in the development and application of new steels and steelmaking technology. AISI is comprised of 18 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and approximately 120 associate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry. For more news about steel and its applications, view AISI's website at www.steel.org. Follow AISI on Facebook or Twitter (@AISISteel).