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The EPA also estimates that contractors would incur a
minimum cost of $250 to complete the proposed lead-
clearance testing. Firms not following the LRRP rule could
face penalties up to $37,500 per day, per violation.
What you can do: Get involved, get educated and, if your
business is affected, get trained and certified in lead-safe work
practices. For commercial contractors, support the efforts of
the National Glass Association, McLean, Va., which is leading an effort to fight the proposed lead-safe work practices for
renovations and repairs in commercial buildings. For residential
More than 70 percent of survey
respondents say they have lost
business since the lead rules
went into effect in April.
contractors, support the efforts of the WDDA, which plans
to ask the EPA to strike the proposal for the lead-clearance
testing requirements, or delay the comment period by 90 days
to gather hard and soft cost estimates. Residential contractors can also take the WDDA survey at http://www.survey-
monkey.com/s/MHDCQ59 to help the alliance gain more
information about how the rules are affecting companies.
Climate change legislation
The issue: In June 2009, the House of Representatives passed
The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. The
bill, introduced by Rep. Henry Waxman (D.-Calif.) and Rep.
Edward Markey (D.-Mass), proposes cutting U.S. carbon emissions to 83 percent of their 2005 levels by 2020, and thereafter
impose progressively steeper cuts on the emitters. It also would
mandate power companies to draw a fifth of their electricity
from renewable sources, such as wind and solar, by 2020.
The impact: Like most other energy-intensive industries, the
glass and glazing industry is concerned that the measure would
increase the cost of its products and hurt production. Potential
GHG cap and trade legislation will impact the glass industry
in two main ways: cost and technology, said Michael Turnbull,
director of international and environmental management,
Guardian Industries, Auburn Hills, Mich., in an interview
last year. “There will be two significant direct costs under a
cap and trade program: annual purchase of allowances, and
increase in demand and cost for natural gas,” he said. In terms
of allowances, “as a rule of thumb, a typical float glass-melting
furnace emits approximately 100,000 tons of GHGs per year,
Turnbull said. “[In 2009], the RGGI [Regional Greenhouse
RESOURCES
In Glass Magazine:
Closer look: Proposed revisions to ASHRAE 90.1 will have profound
effect on industry, Page 10, December 2009
New EPA lead rules to affect residential installations, Page 19,
February 2010
Closer look: Climate bill, cap and trade could hurt industry, Page 8,
July/August 2009
Closer look: Senate committee to complete work on climate change
bill in September, Page 10, September 2009
On GlassMagazine.com:
Industry to appeal ASHRAE 90.1; proposes changes to Building Star
GANA ASHRAE Subcommittee meets with ASHRAE on 90.1 revisions
NGA comments on ASHRAE 90.1 public review
GANA opposes proposed revision to ASHRAE 90.1
Senate passes amendment to allow small contractors time to comply
with lead paint rule
EPA ignores industry concerns on lead paint rules; removes opt-out
provision
NAM official advises manufacturers prepare for emission regulations
On WindowandDoor.com:
EPA delays enforcement of lead paint rule
Gearing up for the EPA lead abatement rules
Gas Initiative] auction price for a ton of GHG was approxi-
mately $3.25. Therefore, if the federal cap and trade price set
point is similar, the average float plant in the U.S. would have
an additional annual expense of $325,000 to make glass.”
The European Union Emission Trading System price
point is about $25/ton. If the federal cap and trade price
point is similar, the average float plant in the U.S. would
have an additional annual expense of $2,500,000, Turnbull
said. “As the EU-ETS is a more mature and comprehen-
sive cap and trade system, it is anticipated that the U.S. cost
structure will reflect it and not the RGGI cost structure.”
What you can do: The bill is currently stalled in the Senate.
At the Glass Association of North America membership meeting
at Glass Week this year, Keith McCoy, vice president, energy and
resources policy, National Association of Manufacturers, Washington, D.C., said he does not expect cap and trade legislation
to become a reality “anytime soon” but warned manufacturers
to prepare for regulations by measuring greenhouse gas emissions and looking for ways to voluntarily reduce emissions.
