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AICC Position Papers Boiler Maximum Achievable Control Technology and Non-Hazardous Secondary Materials Regulations Research and Development Tax Credit Topic Brief Recently the Environmental Protection Agency enacted regulations to decrease greenhouse gas emissions by targeting industrial boilers. AICC stands in firm support of the goal of protecting our environment: 64% of the energy used in containerboard mills is generated by biomass combustion, which significantly reduces the carbon dioxide emissions from what they would have been had they only used fossil fuels. In addition, 78% of U.S. corrugated shipments are reclaimed and recycled. However, the standards enacted by the Boiler MACT regulations are impractical for most businesses to carry out. It is estimated the regulations will cost $14 billion to implement and cost approximately 200,000 jobs as businesses are forced to cut back or even shut down in order to meet the E.P.A. standards. The E.P.A. has since reconsidered this regulation and has implemented an administrative delay while it collects information on the potential impacts of these regulations. The House of Representatives is currently considering a bill for the E.P.A. to develop new standards that make taking such steps for the environment plausible. AICC urges Congress to look carefully at these laws to develop regulations that strike a better balance between environmental responsibility and economic practicality. Legislative Proposals H.R. 2250: "E.P.A. Regulatory Relief Act", to provide additional time for the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to issue achievable standards for industrial, commercial, and institutional boilers, process heaters, and incinerators. Topic: Research and Development Tax Credit Topic Brief The Research and Development Tax Credit is a tax break that has been temporarily extended fourteen times since 1981. Although this tax break is an excellent incentive for businesses, its status as a temporary benefit undercuts its desired effects. As long term planning is very important for businesses, it is difficult for the Research and Development Tax Credit to have its intended effect of encouraging economic growth and innovation if businesses cannot take it in to account for more than one year at a time. An investment of a few hundred thousand dollars is a multiple year project for small businesses. As such, AICC supports incorporating the Research and Development Tax Credit in to the tax code. This would encourage innovation, especially environmentally friendly improvements, by encouraging businesses to make investments knowing that the tax credit is not in jeopardy each year. Legislative Proposals H.R. 1693: "Research and Development Tax Credit Extension Act of 2011", to make the Research and Development tax credit a part of American tax code. Topic Brief The Association of Independent Corrugated Converters supports the Free Trade agreements currently being considered. As an organization of independent manufacturers, AICC knows that the free trade agreements will be good for business and American jobs. America has trade surpluses with all of the countries with which it has free trade agreements, and trade deficits with those it doesn't. The proposed agreements with Panama, South Korea, and Colombia would each improve America's economy by giving us a more open market. Legislative Proposals U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Topic: Accelerated Depreciation Topic Brief Accelerated Depreciation, because of the "time value of money", is good for businesses. It encourages businesses to invest in new technology by making it more favorable economically for them to do so. Having up to date technology means a more efficient, more environmentally friendly business that will help America to compete in the global marketplace. In 2010 Congress and President Obama extended accelerated depreciation with the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010. This legislation provides 100 percent depreciation bonus for capital investments placed in service after September 8, 2010 through December 31, 2011. For equipment placed in service after December 31, 2011 and through December 31, 2012, the bill provides for 50 percent depreciation bonus. The Association of Independent Corrugated Converters encourages Congress to continue its support of accelerated depreciation as an economic stimulus. Legislative Proposals There are no proposed bills on this topic at this time. |
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