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USTMA Pushes for Bipartsian Support for Historic Infrastructure Bill

September 23, 2021

As the House begins consideration of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) renews its call for Members on both sides of the aisle to support this vital piece of legislation in a letter addressed to House leadership. USTMA released a statement last month urging the House to take up the measure without delay after it passed out of the Senate chamber.

“We know this bipartisan infrastructure bill will deliver real, tangible results for Americans in every part of this country,” said Anne Forristall Luke, USTMA president and CEO. “The short-term and long-term benefits that will be realized through this historic investment will help us modernize our roads, highways, ports, and airways in ways that are sustainable, resilient and meet the needs of our future.

It is now up to Republican and Democratic Members to decide whether we take this vital step towards addressing the critical needs of our nation’s infrastructure or allow another opportunity for success to pass us by.”

USTMA has played an active role throughout this process, providing leadership with a list of industry priorities, offering support during negotiations and praising the release of the final package for its inclusion of research and procurement provisions that would advance scrap tire markets. These provisions include but are not limited to:

  • Centers of Excellence for Stormwater Control Infrastructure Technologies which would enable tire derived aggregate to compete as a new and emerging stormwater control infrastructure technology
  • Transportation Resilience and Adaptation Centers of Excellence where rubber modified asphalt would be eligible as a material for study
  • Emerging Technology Research Pilot Program that would allow rubber modified asphalt to compete as an “advanced and additive manufacturing technology to increase the structural integrity and cost-effectiveness of surface transportation infrastructure”
  • Healthy Streets Program which establishes grants for eligible entities to deploy porous pavements like rubber modified asphalt

To read USTMA’s letter to leadership, click here.

About USTMA

The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association is the national trade association for tire manufacturers that produce tires in the U.S. Our 12 member companies operate 57 tire-related manufacturing facilities in 17 states. U.S. tire manufacturing has an annual economic footprint of $170.6 billion and is responsible for more than 291,000 U.S. jobs in manufacturing, distribution and retailing. The industry supports more than 510,000 additional U.S. jobs in supplier and induced activities, totaling more than 801,000 jobs nationwide. USTMA advances a sustainable tire manufacturing industry through thought leadership and a commitment to science based public policy advocacy. Our member company tires make mobility possible. USTMA members are committed to continuous improvement of the performance of our products, worker and consumer safety and environmental stewardship. For more information, visit www.USTires.org and follow us on Twitter @USTires.