AFS leaders Dan Oman and Jeff Hannapel took part in the EPA’s Smart Sectors Program Roundtable on May 9, where EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt talked about regulations, permit reform and more.
The AFS representatives were among a group of leaders from various industries invited to take part in the Smart Sectors event, a program the EPA describes as a partnership “that provides a platform to collaborate with regulated sectors and develop sensible approaches that better protect the environment and public health.” Oman is chair of the AFS Environmental Health & Safety Division and Hannapel works with the AFS Washington office.
During the roundtable, Pruitt said the spring regulatory agenda will result in $1 billion in savings to regulated sectors, with nearly 60 actions on the EPA’s agenda focused on providing regulatory certainty to stakeholders. The agency is also committed to meeting statutory deadlines and schedules for regulations, such as the five-year review of National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
Pruitt noted the EPA is making progress on its permit reform efforts, with a new policy in place to ensure all permit decisions are made within six months.
AFS will continue to work closely with Smart Sectors Program staff to facilitate a productive dialogue on protecting the environment and human health while promoting a sustainable metalcasting industry.
The American Foundry Society is a dynamic technical and advocacy organization that serves and represents the $33 billion metalcasting industry. AFS is the only association serving the entire industry, including all metals and processes, with a three-part focus on advocacy, education, and innovation. AFS also publishes Modern Casting and Metal Casting Design & Purchasing magazines and presents Metalcasting Congress and CastExpo, the largest metalcasting trade events in North America. Founded in 1896, the organization is based in Schaumburg, Illinois, with an advocacy office in Washington, D.C. More information is available at afsinc.org.