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SOTU 2022: Why Chemistry is Essential to the President’s Vision to Build a Better America

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Scott Openshaw
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Skilled, good-paying American jobs supported by the business of chemistry

Millions of Americans will tune into President Biden’s first State of the Union address tonight, including many of the more than 500,000 Americans who proudly work for the U.S. business of chemistry.

The chemical industry has a tremendous opportunity to help achieve an ambitious policy agenda and vision to build a better America. Chemistry is inextricably linked to scientific advancements and supply chain innovations needed to accomplish a wide range of sustainability and climate goals; improve environmental justice; build modern and resilient new infrastructure; and all the while, generate new economic and job growth.

The chemical industry is committed to advancing sustainability worldwide, through innovation, collaboration and technologies that enhance the safety and environmental impacts of our products and our operations. Chemistry is essential to our economy and plays a vital role in the creation of ground-breaking products that make our lives and our world healthier, safer, more sustainable, and more productive. We have an opportunity to help but we need smart policy, creative solutions, and public investment that helps spur the development and use of advanced materials that rely on chemistry.

I’ll be listening for the following topics in tonight’s speech among others:

Protecting the Environment

ACC has developed and issued a set of policy recommendations for a lower emissions future, and we’re engaging with Congress and the Administration. Meeting America’s climate goals will require public and private sector collaboration, technology breakthroughs, significant investment, sustained commitment, and nationwide policies.

Intricate Highway Intersection

Building a Modern Infrastructure

Unleashing the power of chemistry to develop essential materials is important, but like so many businesses across the country, our success depends on a reliable transportation network and robust energy infrastructure. Our industry is critical to providing the innovative construction materials and techniques needed to make America’s infrastructure more resilient and sustainable. The chemical industry invests more in research and development than leading industries like electronics, automobiles and healthcare, investing more than $10 billion/year. 

Supply Chain Resilience

With a presence on six continents and nearly $4 trillion in global chemicals trade, the chemicals industry has spent decades investing in globally integrated supply chains that reduce manufacturing costs and create jobs. To help enhance supply chain resilience, ACC is urging the Biden Administration to refocus U.S. efforts toward making supply chains more resilient. The benefits of globally integrated supply chains can only be realized when trading costs are low – and that means few, if any, tariffs. By raising costs, tariffs and other trade barriers, decades of supply chain integration could be dismantled, hurting U.S. manufacturing competitiveness, and reducing demand for U.S. products overseas.

Cargo Ship Transporting Chemicals

Helping End the Pandemic

Our members work continuously on behalf of the U.S. chemical industry and its more than 500,000 employees to provide the countless products needed for life-saving medical care including: disinfectants, pharmaceuticals, biocides and personal protective gear.  Our industry needs to continue this fight to provide the world with the essential materials that will help end this pandemic and keep us healthy and safe both now and into the future. 

The bottom line: From our industry’s unique role in combatting disease, to fighting climate change, to improving sustainability and protecting the health and safety of people worldwide, the ability of this administration, legislatures, agencies, Congress and the chemical industry to work together to develop the solutions for a better future for everyone is essential.

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About the Author

As President and CEO of the American Chemistry Council (ACC), Chris is responsible for advancing ACC’s mission to advocate for the people, policy, and products of chemistry that make the United States the global leader in innovation and manufacturing.

Chris has been named by The Hill as one of Washington, DC’s “Top Lobbyists” and by the Washingtonian as one of DC’s “Most Influential People” for representing the U.S. business of chemistry and its customers within the halls of Congress.

Prior to joining ACC in 2019, Chris served as President and CEO of The Fertilizer Institute, president of the National Association of Chemical Distributors, and president of the Contract Services Association. He began his career on Capitol Hill, including time as chief of staff to U.S. Senator Craig Thomas (R-WY).

Chris earned an MBA from the University of Maryland and holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Columbia University in New York.

American Chemistry Council

The American Chemistry Council’s mission is to advocate for the people, policy, and products of chemistry that make the United States the global leader in innovation and manufacturing. To achieve this, we: Champion science-based policy solutions across all levels of government; Drive continuous performance improvement to protect employees and communities through Responsible Care®; Foster the development of sustainability practices throughout ACC member companies; and Communicate authentically with communities about challenges and solutions for a safer, healthier and more sustainable way of life. Our vision is a world made better by chemistry, where people live happier, healthier, and more prosperous lives, safely and sustainably—for generations to come.