51�Թ���

The 51�Թ��� and six allied manufacturing groups Congress to modernize the 1975 Energy Policy and Conservation Act.

What’s going on: “After years of dramatic improvements in appliance efficiency, additional, meaningful, cost-justified energy savings are unlikely under EPCA’s current structure without forcing manufacturers and consumers to make tradeoffs in the form of features, performance and product availability,” the business associations said.

• EPCA created, among other things, the Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products, which sets minimum efficiency standards for common household appliances and equipment.
• The 51�Թ��� was joined in this advocacy effort by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute, the Air Movement and Control Association International, the American Lighting Association, the North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.

Why it’s important: Yesterday, the House Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing to discuss stricter EPCA efficiency standards enacted during the Biden administration.

• The joint release issued by the 51�Թ��� and other manufacturing groups called on the committee to help ensure that businesses and consumers can choose the appliances and equipment they want and that investments made by manufacturers are not undermined.

Next steps: Yesterday’s hearing is expected to act as a precursor to legislative action that the committee will consider in the coming weeks.

The 51�Թ��� says: “Manufacturers, including producers and users of energy, are committed to reducing our energy intensity and producing more energy-efficient consumer products to keep America leading in innovation, help reduce energy demand, save money and lower costs,” the 51�Թ��� the Department of Energy earlier this year. “Manufacturers strongly support sensible efficiency and waste-reduction measures across all sectors of the economy.”

• “The 51�Թ��� supports joint government–industry initiatives that enhance private-sector investment in public building efficiency improvement projects, policies that strengthen and harmonize standards for existing commercial, industrial and residential buildings and policies that recognize the incredible efficiency improvements manufacturers have made to products already.”

Yesterday, the Department of Health and Human Services released a second installment of the Make America Healthy Again Commission’s strategy report, focusing on nutrition and vaccines, among other topics ().

Industry response: The 51�Թ��� and manufacturers cautioned that HHS’s approach undermines the administration’s regulatory agenda.

• “Manufacturers share the administration’s goals of safeguarding Americans’ health��and��safety,” said 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons. “However, in light of this administration’s exceptional track record to drive a rebalanced regulatory agenda to strengthen manufacturing��and��benefit consumers, the commission’s strategy report is a shocking misstep.”

The risks: “Manufacturers are concerned that policies based on faulty information��and��misguided science could result in overly burdensome��and��ineffective regulatory proposals for manufacturers without making consumers safer,” Timmons continued.

• “If implemented, the strategy would harm manufacturers across the country��and��the consumers who benefit from an efficient, healthy��and��cost-effective supply chain.”
• “It also would add to the compliance burden that the administration has made so many great strides to unwind. Manufacturers in the U.S. shoulder nearly $350 million every year in compliance costs—capital that manufacturers would much rather invest in their facilities, their employees and their products—and��this administration has been a key partner in alleviating that burden.”

Safety safeguarded: “Manufacturers throughout the chemical, pharmaceutical,��and��food��and��beverage��supply chains prioritize Americans’ health��and��safety,” Timmons emphasized.

• “They comply��with strict regulatory guidelines��and��lead��with innovation to deliver safe��and��reliable products, ensure resilient��and��secure supply chains, safeguard health, preserve consumer choice��and��enhance accessibility��and��affordability.”

The bottom line: “Manufacturers are committed to working with the administration to ensure our industry can continue to deliver safe, innovative��and��affordable products to American families. But the strategy of the MAHA report will take America in the wrong direction.”

51�Թ��� in action: The 51�Թ��� this week launched a����showcasing the vital role that manufacturers throughout the��food��and��beverage��supply chain play in strengthening families,��building communities and��driving the nation forward—and, of course, providing safe and nutritious food.

The Trump administration announced that it will take a crucial step for simplifying the permitting process and unleashing new construction—including of data centers supporting the AI boom ().

• The 51�Թ��� has led the manufacturing industry’s efforts to streamline permitting, working closely with the administration on dozens of key policy moves.

What’s going on: “The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its intent to revise the definition of ‘begin actual construction’ for New Source Review (NSR) preconstruction permitting so that companies can build or update non-emitting sections of power plants and industrial facilities before obtaining a Clean Air Act (CAA) construction permit.”

• “The shift would allow companies to get much-needed power on the grid sooner while still safeguarding the environment, several industry insiders told the Daily Caller News Foundation.”
• 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons told the DCNF, “[c]hampioning the needs of manufacturers, the EPA’s new guidance on New Source Review brings speed and certainty to a vital preconstruction permitting process.”

What they’re saying: “For years, Clean Air Act permitting has been an obstacle to innovation and growth,” EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said Tuesday.

• “We are continuing to fix this broken system. Today’s guidance is another step to allow the build-out of essential power generation, data centers and manufacturing projects that will bring about America’s Golden Age.”

51�Թ��� advocacy: �� , manufacturers laid out recommendations to the presidential transition team to speed up the nation’s permitting process, including reforms to NSR.

• , manufacturers reiterated the need to abandon the previous administration’s NSR proposal and instead adopt a practical, commonsense approach.

The 51�Թ���’s response: “ Today, the EPA is delivering by making the permitting process more prompt, clear and responsible—keeping air quality safe while cutting excessive red tape,” said 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons in a issued today.

• “By doing so, the EPA will fast-track construction of essential power generation, data centers and manufacturing facilities, and that means more jobs, investments and opportunities for manufacturers in the U.S. and the communities we serve.”
• “Delivering on what manufacturers have asked for, this guidance will drive infrastructure development by streamlining permitting reform for all energy sources so we can unleash American energy dominance.”
• In a win for manufacturers, Timmons continued, “[we] thank President Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin for their leadership to advance commonsense reforms that strengthen manufacturing in America, enhance our competitiveness and allow us to lead the world in innovation.”

On Friday night, President Trump issued an executive order that amends the list of products exempted from International Emergency Economic Powers Act reciprocal tariffs. In effect, this EO significantly changes the procedures for updates to IEEPA reciprocal tariffs and Section 232 tariffs. These changes went into effect on Monday.

Changes to April 2 EO: This EO amends Annex II of the April 2 IEEPA reciprocal tariff EO. It contained a list of Harmonized Tariff Schedule codes that are exempt from IEEPA reciprocal tariffs but contained many items likely to become subject to Section 232 tariffs as they were part of the scope of pending investigations.

• Exemptions added: Forty HTS codes have been added to Annex II, exempting them from the IEEPA reciprocal tariffs. They include certain critical minerals such as nickel, tin and thorium ores, chemicals, permanent magnets and LEDs.
• Exemptions taken away: Eight HTS codes have been removed from Annex II, making them newly subject to the IEEPA reciprocal tariffs. They include certain aluminum hydroxide, crystals, resins, PET and silicones.

Zero-for-zero: The 51�Թ��� has long advocated for the administration to negotiate new market access for U.S. industrial exports on a reciprocal basis.

• Friday’s EO establishes a new��“Potential Tariff Adjustments for Aligned Partners” Annex.
• The PTAAP Annex lists products for which the president��“may be willing to provide a zero percent reciprocal tariff” to countries that have concluded final “Framework Agreements” with the United States.

Potential reductions: While the EO does not implement tariff reductions, it does provide guidelines for eligibility.

• Products eligible for tariff reductions include those that cannot be grown, mined or naturally produced in the United States or grown, mined or naturally produced in sufficient quantities in the United States to satisfy domestic demand.
• Also eligible are certain agricultural products, aircraft and aircraft parts and non-patented articles for use in pharmaceutical applications.

Getting to zero: The president stipulates that “except in rare circumstances” trading partners won’t get a zero tariff or a 232 tariff preference “before the conclusion of a final trade and security agreement (‘final agreement’) with the U.S.”

• However, the EO goes on to refer to the EU Framework Agreement as sufficient to modify U.S. tariffs.
• The EO states that “the imports that might receive a reciprocal tariff rate of zero percent may be different for each final agreement between a foreign trading partner and the United States.”
• Importantly,��the zero-duty treatment can apply to both IEEPA reciprocal tariffs and to Section 232 national security tariffs.​​​​​​​

Washington, D.C. — Following the release of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission’s strategy report, 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons issued the following statement:

“Manufacturers share the administration’s goals of safeguarding Americans’ health and safety. However, in light of this administration’s exceptional track record to drive a rebalanced regulatory agenda to strengthen manufacturing and benefit consumers, the Commission’s strategy report is a shocking misstep.

“Manufacturers are concerned that policies based on faulty information and misguided science could result in overly burdensome and ineffective regulatory proposals for manufacturers without making consumers safer. If implemented, the strategy would harm manufacturers across the country and the consumers who benefit from an efficient, healthy and cost-effective supply chain. It also would add to the compliance burden that the administration has made so many great strides to unwind. Manufacturers in the U.S. shoulder nearly $350 million every year in compliance costs—capital that manufacturers would much rather invest in their facilities, their employees, their products, and this administration has been a key partner in alleviating that burden.

“Manufacturers throughout the chemical, pharmaceutical, and food and beverage supply chains prioritize Americans’ health and safety. They comply with strict regulatory guidelines and lead with innovation to deliver safe and reliable products, ensure resilient and secure supply chains, safeguard health, preserve consumer choice, and enhance accessibility and affordability.

“Manufacturers are committed to working with the administration to ensure our industry can continue to deliver safe, innovative and affordable products to American families. But the strategy of the MAHA report will take America in the wrong direction.”

Background:

The National Association of��Manufacturers this week launched a ��showcasing the vital role that manufacturers throughout the food and beverage supply chain play in strengthening families,��building communities, and driving the nation forward. The ad highlights the people and innovation behind America’s food supply chain—from farms and shop floors to grocery stores, kitchen tables, restaurants and beyond—reminding policymakers and the public of the industry’s essential contribution to safe, healthy, nutritious and affordable food for every American family.

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� 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 53% of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� 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 51�Թ��� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit��.

Washington, D.C. –��Following the Environmental Protection Agency’s release of new guidance on New Source Review preconstruction permitting requirements, 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement:

“Today, the EPA is delivering by making the permitting process more prompt, clear and responsible—keeping air quality safe while cutting excessive red tape. By doing so, the EPA will fast-track construction of essential power generation, data centers and manufacturing facilities, and that means more jobs, investments and opportunities for manufacturers in the U.S. and the communities we serve.

“Championing the needs of manufacturers, the EPA’s new guidance on New Source Review brings speed and certainty to a vital preconstruction permitting process, among the earliest steps taken by manufacturers in planning new projects. Delivering on what manufacturers have asked for, this guidance will drive infrastructure development by streamlining permitting reform for all energy sources so we can unleash American energy dominance.

“Permitting reform is a key pillar of the 51�Թ���’s comprehensive manufacturing strategy. We thank President Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin for their leadership to advance commonsense reforms that strengthen manufacturing in America, enhance our competitiveness and allow us to lead the world in innovation.”

Background

In December, manufacturers made a series of recommendations to the presidential transition team to speed up the nation’s permitting process, including reforms to NSR.��, manufacturers reiterated the need to abandon the previous administration’s NSR proposal and to take a commonsense approach to the NSR preconstruction permitting process.

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� 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 53% of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� 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 51�Թ��� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit��.

733 10th St. NW, Suite 700 • Washington, DC 20001 • (202) 637-3000

Washington, D.C. —��The 51�Թ��� today announced the addition of Jake Kuhns as a vice president of domestic policy at the association.��Kuhns, a public policy professional with more than two decades of experience in federal government relations—including shaping policy for Cargill’s food business—will lead the 51�Թ���’s work on food and beverage policy, tax, corporate finance, health care, artificial intelligence and technology and immigration.

“Jake brings a wealth of relevant knowledge and experience from his more than 20 years working at the intersection of policy, politics and business, including his work on food and beverage issues that are vital to manufacturers nationwide,” said��51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons. “This is a pivotal time for manufacturers as our industry navigates a shifting policy landscape. The landmark tax bill signed into law on July 4 will stimulate investment across manufacturing, but these investments will require a comprehensive manufacturing strategy that builds on our tax win in order to achieve the law’s full pro-growth potential.”

For more than 13 years, Kuhns served as director of federal government relations for Cargill, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of food, beverage and agricultural products. In that role, he led advocacy efforts on food and beverage issues, antitrust and competition, labor and immigration, transportation and tax. He regularly advised Cargill’s senior leadership on the policy and political landscape, managed the company’s political action committee and represented the corporation before Congress, the administration and key federal agencies. His previous experience includes serving as a senior legislative aide to Rep. Tim Holden (D-PA), as well as both association and campaign work.

Timmons added, “Jake is a veteran of our sector and understands the needs of manufacturers. Under his leadership, the 51�Թ��� will continue to work with Congress and the administration to protect and implement H.R. 1, seize the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence, address the rising costs of health care, support capital formation and good corporate governance, modernize and rebalance federal regulations and ensure that innovators across manufacturing—including biopharmaceutical manufacturers and companies throughout the food and beverage supply chain—can continue to innovate, grow and thrive here in America.

“As manufacturers look to build on recent policy wins and usher in generational change for the sector, we are excited to add Jake to our best-in-class policy team.”

With the recent passage of H.R. 1, Kuhns’ immediate attention will turn to the implementation of the tax package and advancing a comprehensive domestic manufacturing agenda that drives growth, competitiveness and innovation.

Kuhns joins the 51�Թ���’s powerhouse external affairs team under the leadership of Executive Vice President Erin Streeter, who oversees the association’s advocacy, policy, government relations and communications efforts. He will report to Managing Vice President Charles Crain, head of the 51�Թ���’s policy shop propelling the manufacturing agenda forward, and will work alongside Vice President of International Policy Andrea Durkin, Vice President of Domestic Policy Chris Phalen and Chief Economist Victoria Bloom.

Kuhns is the latest in a wave of 2025 hires across the 51�Թ���’s external affairs division, including Senior Director of Tax Policy Connor Rabb,��Senior Director of Corporate Finance Policy Ted Allen,��Director of Government Relations Sydney Fincher,��Director of Health Care Policy Jess Wysocky,��Director of Chemicals, Materials and Sustainability Policy Reagan Giesenschlag,��Director of International Policy Kevin Doyle,��Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs Alexa Lopez, and Director of Strategic Communications Christine Ravold. In addition to adding new talent to the 51�Թ���’s team, veteran 51�Թ��� staff members Jennifer Littlepage and Joseph Murphy have been elevated to vice president of human resources and director of strategic communications, respectively.

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� 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 53% of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� 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 51�Թ��� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit��.

​​​​​​The Trump administration has announced new funding for critical minerals projects in the U.S., seeking to award nearly $1 billion to key projects ().

• In announcing the new funding, Energy Secretary Chris Wright “cited a����that tapped a range of agencies for efforts to boost minerals production in announcing the award plans.”

How it works: The funding comes in part from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, one of manufacturers’ and the 51�Թ���’s many policy victories over the past five years.

• “The largest pot of funding,��up to $500 million, comes from the Battery Materials Processing and Battery Manufacturing and Recycling grant program, which was established by the bipartisan infrastructure law,” according to Politico.
• “DOE said Wednesday its Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management also plans to award up to $250 million under the Energy Act of 2020 and the infrastructure law for industrial facilities to pilot initiatives to produce critical minerals as byproducts from their existing processes.”

Rare earths: Also notable is the $135 million in funding that the Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains will award to rare earths demonstration projects.

Concerted efforts: The 51�Թ��� has urged President Trump to support critical minerals projects since his election, and the administration has been swift to act.

• As 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons in response to the March EO, “For too long, red tape and burdensome regulations have stood in the way of the basic building blocks that power manufacturing in the United States, especially mining and processing the minerals manufacturers rely on to create jobs and dominate on the world stage.”
• “The administration is addressing those barriers, making it easier for manufacturers to access the resources we need to build the future in America.”

Manufacturers are hard at work on next-generation nuclear reactors and getting ready to scale up nuclear enrichment activities, but challenges lie in their way (POLITICO’s ).

What’s going on: Though it made sense at the time, the privatization of the United States Enrichment Corporation in the years following the Cold War (done due to “the anticipation that the U.S. would always have access to foreign enrichment supplies”) is now putting the American uranium enrichment market and reactor development at a disadvantage.

• This presents a problem given the U.S. ban on Russian uranium imports due to the Ukraine war.
• To shore up the American nuclear industry, the Energy Department “has started to pull startup nuclear companies into the uranium enrichment business.”
• Just this month, California-based General Matter announced that it would construct an enrichment facility in Kentucky on the site of a former U.S. government enrichment plant, saying it “can produce at a lower cost the type of enriched uranium sought out by developers of advanced nuclear reactors.”

A changing tide: In 2023, the Maryland-based Centrus Energy (U.S. Enrichment’s name since 2014), made its first batch of high-assay, low-enriched uranium, or HALEU, which is the fuel needed for next-generation nuclear reactor designs.

• “With Centrus’ inaugural batch and plans to expand their centrifuge cascade, the U.S. might yet break Russia’s de facto monopoly on advanced reactor fuel.”

Challenges: Scaling up Centrus’ Ohio enrichment site will necessitate billions in investment dollars, as well as “a [high] level of sustained political backing,” according to ENERGYWIRE.

• Another hurdle: the relatively weak market signals for HALEU, said former Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chair Dale Klein, who noted “that North America doesn’t yet have any commercial reactors operating that would use HALEU. That’s a problem for the dozen-plus entities planning to build [next-generation] reactors.”
• “It is a chicken and egg,”��Klein told the news outlet. “The fuel enrichers are not going to make the fuel unless they know they’ve got a market.”

Moving forward: But Centrus is ready to get to work on enrichment, it told ENERGYWIRE.

• “Our facility is already licensed. We’ve secured $2 billion in customer contracts. As soon as federal funding is awarded, we’ll pair it with private dollars and get to work,” Centrus Vice President of Corporate Communications Dan Leistikow said.
• “Centrus offers a fully American solution: proven U.S. technology, built by American workers.”

The Trump administration is easing requirements for states’ construction of electric vehicles charging stations (POLITICO’s , subscription).

What’s going on: “The new guidance from the Federal Highway Administration swept away Biden-era dictates that stations be built at certain intervals along highways, and removed goals both big, like uplifting disadvantaged communities, and small, like requiring plans for snow removal.”

• The changes also have the potential to get more than $2 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program funds to various projects starting in September, months after the administration halted the funding.

What it does: The new National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program rules—which grant states 30 days to submit new EV charging facility construction plans—“give states broader latitude in how they spend their portion of federal money … [which] are allocated to states by formula.”

• States can now spend their money on light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicle charging, and unlike in the previous administration, which required having facilities every 50 miles, will be allowed to “determine for themselves when their highway charging efforts are done.”
• Plus, by urging states to use their money “at locations where the charging site host and the company operating the chargers are the same entity,” the new regulations also direct funding to existing truck stops and gas stations, which “favors existing traditional filling stations.”

The 51�Թ��� says: “Manufacturers appreciate the Department of Transportation’s updates to the NEVI program requirements to provide greater flexibility to states and businesses to get this program up and running,” said 51�Թ��� Vice President of Domestic Policy Chris Phalen.