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Welcome to e-Connections, the weekly AFS email newsletter. In this Jan. 6, 2009, edition:
AFS Responds to EPA Request for Comments on Greenhouse Gas Emissions
AFS has responded to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) request for comments regarding the regulation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions under the Clean Air Act (CAA). The proposal sets forth a large number of CAA programs EPA would use to regulate all sources of greenhouse gas emissions, and would give EPA vast control over the daily operations of many aspects of the economy not presently regulated by EPA.
For stationary sources, EPA considers three specific pathways to regulate under the CAA:
- setting National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS);
- new Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for specific industries;
- regulation of Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAP).
AFS noted in its comments that all of these methods will result in significant administrative burden and cost to the metalcasting industry. Specifically, regulation of greenhouse gases as HAPs will force strict technological standards on anyone emitting more than 25 tons per year of CO2. AFS also stated that if EPA finds endangerment and greenhouse gases are regulated by any provision of the CAA, Prevention of Significant Deterioration permitting authority will be triggered for any source emitting more than 250 tons per year of CO2. This potentially exposes more than a million medium and large facilities in the U.S. to costly, onerous permitting requirements anytime construction is undertaken that will result in CO2 emissions over the 250-ton-per-year threshold.
Sen. Boxer (D-CA), Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, said she will introduce legislation in 2009 that would direct EPA to develop a carbon cap-and-trade system by amending the CAA. This action would most likely preempt GHG regulation under NAAQS, NSPS and HAPs, but would still give EPA significant control over much of U.S. industry.
For more information, contact Alicia Oman, AFS Washington Office, at aoman@afsinc.org or 202/842-4864.
Attend the 2009 International Iron Melting Conference
The AFS International Iron Melting Conference 2009 is scheduled to be held Jan. 21-23, 2009, at the Holiday Inn Select Orlando International Airport, Orlando, Fla. The conference is designed to assist iron melting facilities in improving their operations with the latest industry advances and technology.
Topics to be covered include automatic pouring, charge materials, common mistakes in cupola melting, refractory issues in a coreless induction furnace and today’s channel furnace technology. For more information or to register for this conference, contact AFS customer service at 800/537-4237.
Webinar to Focus on Metalcasting Forecast and Trends
AFS is producing a webinar Jan. 8 at 11:00 a.m. EST for its corporate members on the number of factors that will impact the metalcasting industry in 2009 and beyond. Developed from intensive research and interviews of casting users and producers, this webinar will analyze casting shipments from both a producer and buyer perspective, and looks at all major casting consuming markets and metals and processes.
To register for this webinar, click here. For more information, contact Dave Krugman, AFS PR and marketing coordinator, at dkrugman@afsinc.org or 800/537-4237.
Online Polls Show What Metalcasters Are Thinking
Ever wanted to know what your fellow metalcasters are thinking about the issues of the day? You can find out by participating in the monthly online poll at www.moderncasting.com.
In addition to learning what others think, share your opinions by answering the regularly updated poll, which has dealt with topics such as foreign competition, the green movement and the economic downturn. By investigating the poll at moderncasting.com, you can find out what your fellow metalcasters are thinking before their answers are published in the print edition of the magazine. Join the conversation today.
Melting & Heat Treating of Castings Internet Course Coming
CMI will be offering a Melting & Heat Treating of Castings internet course Feb. 26-May 30. The intent of this online course, offered in conjunction with Mohawk College, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, is to educate students on melting and heat treating techniques used in various ferrous and nonferrous castings. The course will focus on discussing the major and minor alloying elements and heat treat options for alloy systems including aluminum, copper-based, magnesium, steel and cast iron.
For more information or to attend this course, contact AFS customer service at 800/537-4237, or click here to register.
Get Introduced to Metallurgy with Internet Course
CMI will be offering an Introduction to Metallurgy internet course Feb. 26-May 30. The intent of this online course, offered in conjunction with Mohawk College, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, is to introduce students to the basic components of metallurgy topics including basic atomic structure, key metallic crystalline structures, effect of structure on mechanical properties, binary phase diagrams, and heat treatment of common ferrous and aluminum alloys.
For more information or to attend this course, contact AFS customer service at 800/537-4237, or click here to register.
Casting Cost Estimating Internet Course Available
CMI will be offering a Casting Cost Estimating internet course March 2-29. The intent of this online course is to educate students on the basics of predicting job costs using example jobs. Estimates based on blueprints will be presented, along with methods for determining cost centers, ideas for assigning standard costs and industrial engineering's role in estimating. Students will review sample estimates using a form created during the lectures.
For more information or to attend this course, contact AFS customer service at 800/537-4237, or click here to register.
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