FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2013
NACE International is taking its $476 billion case for corrosion control inside the Beltway with a new political action committee.
The Corrosion Society's new International Institute has announced the formation of CORROSION PAC, the nation's only corrosion-focused political action committee.
The PAC is "dedicated to informing legislators about the critical role corrosion control plays in reducing the economic and environmental impact of corrosion in the U.S., and ensuring that corrosion control planning and qualified personnel are utilized to reduce the cost of corrosion," the institute said in a release.
$476B Problem
Corrosion costs about 3.1% of U.S. GDP, or about $476 billion, according to the NACE International Institute, which also administers 23 certifications plus the CIP (Coatings Inspector Program) endorsements.
Up to 30% of the U.S. corrosion tab could be saved with better corrosion risk management and preventive measures, said institute executive director Helena Seelinger, CAE.
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Corrosion costs about $1,500 per U.S. citizen, according to NACE International. Better prevention could defray up to 30 percent of that cost, officials say. |
“Ensuring corrosion protection of public and private industrial assets is in everyone’s best interest—it is a nonpartisan issue,” said Seelinger.
“More attention to corrosion planning can realize significant ROI, greater public safety, and jobs growth associated with a workforce skilled in corrosion prevention."
CORROSION PAC "will bring this message to the Hill as it relates to legislation on infrastructure, transportation, water, and energy.”
In addition to financial savings, corrosion control will ensure that infrastructure is dependable and sustainable, that clean water comes to homes and businesses, that oil and gas pipelines do not leak or explode, that bridges do not collapse, and that the public and the environment are protected from the effects of failed industrial structures.
'Being Proactive'
The Board of Directors of the bi-partisan CORROSION PAC consists of Elaine Bowman (chair), Champion Technologies; Dick Wilson, Carboline; Kevin Garrity, Mears Group, Inc.; Ken Tator, KTA-Tator, Inc.; and Mark Byerley, Tinker & Rasor.
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Corrosion control "is a nonpartian issue" that is "in everyone's best interest," says Helena Seelinger (left), who leads NACE's International Institute. Elaine Bowman, of Champion Technologies, chairs the new PAC's board. |
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“Being proactive with legislators is an important development in the corrosion community,” said Bowman. “Corrosion costs about $1,500 per American citizen, and that can be reduced substantially simply by giving more attention to corrosion control planning for both new and existing structures."
Bowman said the PAC would "play a vital role with legislators to get out the message about why corrosion control is important and how it can save money and protect the infrastructure, environment, and even lives.”
Tagged categories: Carboline; Corrosion protection; Government; KTA-Tator; Laws and litigation; NACE; Program/Project Management; Regulations
