On his first day in office, President Donald Trump took action to prioritize American manufacturing, declaring a national energy emergency and vowing to streamline infrastructure permitting. 

These moves aim to meet growing energy demand for American homes and businesses, as well as new manufacturing and data centers. 

A critical part of this effort is reforming our permitting system to cut the red tape that delays new infrastructure and innovative manufacturing processes. Currently, overlapping state and federal regulations, prolonged review periods, and fragmented permitting processes hinder energy progress and competitiveness.  For America to strengthen its security and manufacturing leadership, infrastructure buildout is essential to meet growing energy needs and manufacturing output. 

Big picture:

By producing more energy domestically, manufacturers will be more energy secure, in turn making American-made goods (e.g. automobiles and advanced materials such as plastics) more competitive globally. This shift should help reduce our reliance on foreign energy, creating stable, affordable energy supplies right here at home. This will help grow U.S. jobs in critical sectors like plastics manufacturing, advanced recycling, automotive and construction materials. Domestic energy dominance is not only likely to grow our economy but it’s also a cornerstone of rebuilding and strengthening our manufacturing competitiveness.

To that end, plastics play a vital role in increasing energy efficiency, thereby reducing waste and costs.

How? Well…

• In energy efficient homes: plastics used in insulation help cut air leaks, improving heating and cooling efficiency. The Department of Energy notes that homes and businesses account for nearly 40% of our domestic energy consumption. One study found that plastic building materials can save enough energy annually to power over 4.5 million American homes. 
• Lightweight plastic components in modern cars improve fuel efficiency, saving drivers money at the pump.  

The Path Forward 

Expanding our domestic energy infrastructure will boost U.S. manufacturing of plastics and other materials, to help deliver products to critical sectors of our economy while enhancing our global competitiveness. Investments in our energy production will help strengthen job creation across manufacturing sectors, driving economic growth. In the meantime, plastics will continue to help  Americans improve energy efficiency in their homes and vehicles and help lower their heating and gas bills.  

Investing in energy infrastructure and advanced materials is a win for America’s economy, environment, and energy future. 

Ross Eisenberg
President
America’s Plastic Makers ^TM