Tom Dobbins, president & CEO of the Aluminum Association, released the following statement in response to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework announced at the White House earlier today:

“Infrastructure matters to every family, community and manufacturer in the United States. Today’s bipartisan announcement is an incredibly positive step toward much-needed investment in our nation’s electric grid, roads, bridges, transit hubs, vehicle charging stations and other critical infrastructure needs. Not only does U.S. aluminum depend on reliable infrastructure to ship billions of pounds of aluminum across the country each year, the metal itself is essential to making these planned investments a reality. For example, aluminum is the most widely used material in modern electricity transmission and distribution systems. 

Lawmakers should also work to shore up U.S. recycling systems as part of any major infrastructure spending. Increased recycling of materials, which has been in decline in the U.S. recent years, will help to make domestic supply chains more secure and resilient. We hope today’s announcement is a sign of things to come. And we encourage Democrats and Republicans in Congress and the White House to negotiate in good faith -- and compromise as necessary -- to address the major issues confronting our country.”

In a recent letter to Congress and policy framework, the Aluminum Association laid out top industry priorities for new U.S. infrastructure investment. The association supports policies that recognize the benefits of aluminum as lightweight, durable, corrosion resistant and infinitely recyclable. As demand for aluminum is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, the U.S. should work to ensure that more of this material – both primary and recycled metal – is made domestically to enhance national resiliency, self-sufficiency and a more circular economy.