Pennsylvania's Success Relies on American Chemistry

Chemistry Creates, America Competes.

From supply chain, climate, and sustainability challenges to energy efficiency, power delivery, national security, and infrastructure needs, our nation depends on the products and innovations made by America’s chemical industry. 

Chemistry enables electric vehicle production, semiconductors, affordable housing, reliable infrastructure, and effective, modern healthcare technologies. It is the driving force behind everyday products like smartphones and computers.

According to a Morning Consult poll conducted on behalf of ACC, 73% of Pennsylvanians, including 73% of Democrats, are concerned about the potential impact of increased restrictions on the U.S. chemical sector on local economies who depend on it for jobs and economic activity.

Pennsylvanians are right to be concerned since chemistry provides over 23,500 direct jobs and over 29,000 related jobs.

Chemistry Creates America Competes Bridge During Construction

Overregulation Weakens Pennsylvania’s Economy

2/3

Of Pennsylvanian adults are concerned that imposing additional restrictions on the chemical sector could hinder state-wide infrastructure upgrades.

2/3+

Of Pennsylvanian adults are concerned that imposing additional restrictions on the chemical sector could force U.S. companies to move their manufacturing abroad, resulting in fewer jobs for American workers.

A surge in new restrictions and lack of coordination between the Biden Administration and its agencies is handicapping the chemical industry’s ability to create products that Pennsylvania relies on.

New proposed restrictions could limit access to and increase the cost of essential products, harming the U.S. economy, jeopardizing American competitiveness in the global market, and delaying progress for industries and sectors with urgent and growing needs.  

This jeopardizes our competitiveness in sectors like infrastructure, including electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, and could harm domestic jobs and the economy. Pennsylvania’s infrastructure plays an important role in keeping manufacturers in the Northeast and East Coast connected. Smart, science-based regulations are needed to support manufacturers’ ability to operate and innovate.

Chemistry Creates America Competes Electric Vehicle Charging

Pennsylvania Priorities at Risk

We support responsible regulation that puts science first, promotes innovation and supports supply chain resiliency. 

There are currently 13 proposed new restrictions with the potential to directly impact the chemical industry. Some aim to outright ban certain chemistries. Others may regulate chemistries to levels where manufacturing becomes unviable or impossible.

The growing disconnect between the Administration’s priorities and proposed regulations by its agencies is creating an increasingly untenable situation for chemical manufacturers. For example, the Administration considers the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) as one of its signature initiatives to help develop and deploy clean-energy technologies like EVs, and Pennsylvania is slated to receive $172 million in funding to support the expansion of EV charging. However, proposed restrictions from federal agencies like EPA on chemistries needed to manufacture components for EVs and other critical infrastructure could undercut this national priority.

If enacted, these restrictions have the potential for a detrimental impact on the supply chains for vital technologies, including clean energy solutions like EVs, semiconductors, and many modern healthcare applications. Decreased access and affordability of these essential products could be further consequences of imposing flawed restrictions.

Unless the Biden Administration and Congress take a different approach to how they create and apply regulations, Pennsylvanians could experience unintended consequences of these policy and regulatory choices at home. When asked about high inflation causing financial strife in the same survey: 

77%

Of Pennsylvania adults agree now is not the time for new federal restrictions that could increase the cost of goods like vehicles, homes, consumer electronics, and household products.

70%

Of Pennsylvania Democrats agree now is not the time for new federal restrictions that could increase the cost of goods like vehicles, homes, consumer electronics, and household products.

Chemistry Creates America Competes U.S. Capitol Building

Get Involved

For chemical manufacturers, the situation must change. Together, we can address these flawed restrictions.  

Without appropriate oversight and the use of sound science to drive regulation, critical chemistries have the potential to suffer, along with the innovations and jobs that rely on them. 

We call on the Biden Administration, federal agencies, and Congress, to support frameworks that celebrate innovation and accelerate progress.

Tell Congress & President Biden to support policies that empower chemistry, promote American innovation and strengthen U.S. competitiveness.

Act now!

Resources

What Pennsylvanians Believe About Regulatory Overreach on Chemical Sector - Fact Sheet

Chemistry Creates, America Competes.

American success relies on American chemistry.

Proposed restrictions on U.S. chemical manufacturers stifles American innovation, jobs, and competitiveness.

Learn how sound policies can keep American chemistry competitive.

Learn more