The American Foundry Society (AFS) is calling on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to extend the comment period on a proposed rulemaking that would raise electricity bills for all consumers, including U.S. metalcasters, until the COVID-19 pandemic ends.
In a motion presented to FERC on April 29, AFS joined a coalition of over more than 60 nationwide manufacturing organizations urging the postponement of a rulemaking for increasing charges for electricity transmission, a commodity vital to every part of the metalcasting supply chain, until 60 days after the conclusion of the national emergency related to COVID-19 or Oct. 1, 2020.
Since 2012, transmission costs have increased more than 52 percent, representing the biggest hike in energy expenses for manufacturers over the past decade. Manufacturing groups are asking for more time to comment on the rulemaking, which is likely to have long-term consequences for all electricity consumers.
“The national emergency caused by the COVID-19 outbreak has impacted every segment of the U.S. economy. American manufacturers are certainly no exception,” the motion states. “... Due to the potentially financially significant impact and likely long-term nature of any reforms … an opportunity to actively and meaningfully participate is critically important to American manufacturers.”
The FERC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking would increase charges for all electric consumer classes and would affect all areas of the U.S.
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 Casting Source 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.