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NACE to School Lawmakers on Corrosion

Friday, May 4, 2012

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Waking up federal lawmakers to the billion-dollar, life-threatening consequences of unchecked corrosion will be Job 1 when members of NACE International drop in on Capitol Hill this month.

Wikimedia Commons

Members of NACE and ASM will make their case for corrosion prevention and control to federal lawmakers.

“Corrosion: The Low Cost of High Maintenance” will be the theme of this year’s Legislative Day on Capitol Hill, the annual “fly-in” by members of NACE and ASM International (the engineering association formerly known as the American Society for Metals).

The goal of the event, set for May 29-31, is to educate legislators about the importance of corrosion control and the need for legislation that promotes corrosion prevention technologies and initiatives.

NACE

NACE president Kevin Garrity (right) points out corrosion issues in the U.S. Capitol dome to past president Oliver Moghissi.

NACE is hoping for a strong turnout from its 28,000-plus members for the effort. NACE members may register free for the events, but advance registration is required by May 28.

Event Highlights

The three-day session includes luncheons, a dinner, group briefings and individual appointments with lawmakers, targeting leadership from the Appropriations Committee, the Armed Services Committees and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Events include:

• May 29: Legislative update by NACE and ASM on corrosion issues and activities on Capitol Hill, followed by a welcome reception.

• May 30: Appointments (previously scheduled) with Congressional members and staff.

• May 31: Congressional briefing, “Corrosion: The Low Cost of High Maintenance,” by NACE and ASM featuring a keynote address and discussion panel of experts.

Corrosion Costs

Ten years ago, Corrosion Costs and Preventive Strategies in the United States, a seminal study initiated by NACE and backed by the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, estimated the annual cost of corrosion at $276 billion—about 3.1% of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product at the time.

Source: Corrosion Costs and Preventive Strategies in the United States (2002)

The report included an in-depth look at the effects of corrosion on several areas, including military preparedness and on nuclear waste storage. The annual military tab alone at that time was $20 billion, and growing.

For more information on the Legislative Day on Capitol Hill, visit www.nace.org or contact Alysa Reich at 281-228-6280 or alysa.reich@nace.org.

Comment from Than Nguyen, (5/4/2012, 3:14 PM)

Corrosion is a pervasive problem that costs 3% or more of GDP for most developed nations. Corrosion costs nearly $4 Trillion worldwide each year. Corrosion is a global problem that has plagued buildings, monuments, equipment, and infrastructure for centuries. Every day scientists, researchers, chemists, engineers, and other professionals create revolutionary solutions to combat corrosion and protect vital assets from the damaging effects of corrosion-related deterioration and failure. In working with companies in the military packaging industry, I know that the deterioration of concrete structures in certain environments due to corrosion may result in costly and inconvenient maintenance so we need to be preventative.