Pennsylvania Business and Industry Leaders Urge EPA Administrator Zeldin to Unleash Plastics Manufacturing
Harrisburg, PA: The Pennsylvania Chemical Industry Council joined with 15 business and industry groups in sending a letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin, encouraging the agency to enact targeted regulatory reforms to enhance America’s global competitiveness.
While strategic regulatory reforms will increase all domestic manufacturing investment and output, the plastics industry is the most hindered by both old and new regulations. Plastics support over a quarter of domestic manufacturing operations. In 2023 alone, plastics contributed $5.19 billion to Pennsylvania's gross domestic product and chemicals, plastics, and rubber production support over 97,000 direct and related jobs.
While the coalition of business leaders believes we are on the right track, the administration can unleash a manufacturing renaissance — creating new jobs and fostering economic growth — through targeted regulatory reforms to enable greater plastics manufacturing and remanufacturing. As a global energy and manufacturing leader, Pennsylvania is poised to lead this charge by advancing collaborative, science-based policies and regulations.
“Plastics are essential to modern life quality for tens of thousands ,” said PCIC President Steven Kratz. “In contrast to many countries, our manufacturers are held to rigorous regulatory standards. Prioritizing domestic production helps keep American workers and consumers safe, while also better protecting the environment.”
“Pennsylvania’s abundant natural gas resources can fuel the feedstock of U.S. manufacturing,” said Jim Welty, President of the Marcellus Shale Coalition. “Strategic regulatory reform to support plastics manufacturing and bolster domestic manufacturing is a win for consumers, our manufacturers and our nation.”
“Lycoming County plays a key part with several plastics manufacturers producing products impacting all parts of everyday life,” said Jason Fink, President & CEO of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce. “We see the value this industry brings to the local economy in providing family sustaining employment opportunities while also keeping the United States competitive in the plastics and chemical industries at a global level.
“As a global energy and manufacturing leader, Pennsylvania is poised to lead this charge by advancing collaborative, science-based policies and regulations that benefit families, farmers, small businesses and consumers,” Consumer Energy Alliance Mid-Atlantic Director Mike Butler said. “Now is the critical moment to unleash American manufacturing, bolster our supply chain and national security, and significantly enhance our global competitiveness.”
Key excerpts from the letter:
- “Since President Trump took office in January, his administration has committed to strengthening our economy while protecting the environment and reducing our reliance on imports.”
- “While we are on the right track, the administration can unleash a manufacturing renaissance — creating new jobs and fostering economic growth — through targeted regulatory reforms to enable greater plastics manufacturing and remanufacturing.”
- “Conflicting and often outdated state and federal regulations stifle innovation, impair economic growth and directly hurt American competitiveness.”
- “The Trump administration, led by the Environmental Protection Agency, has the power to direct regulatory reform for plastics manufacturing that can unleash the next decade of growth in the manufacturing sector.”
- “With American plastic producers supporting over 25% of domestic manufacturing, we urge you and your interagency colleagues to advance policies and regulations that support growth and job creation and eliminate threats that undermine the success of American manufacturing excellence.”
PCIC joined with the following co-signers:
- Allegheny Conference on Community Development
- American Petroleum Institute Pennsylvania
- Catalyst Connection
- Clearly Ahead Development
- Consumer Energy Alliance-Mid-Atlantic
- DRIVE
- Energy & Manufacturing in Appalachia
- Focus Central Pennsylvania
- Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC
- Marcellus Shale Coalition
- Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers and Employers Association
- Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry
- Pennsylvania Chemical Industry Council
- Pittsburgh Works Together
- Shale POWER
- Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce
Media Contact: Steve Kratz, SKratz@PCIC.org 717.433.5169