Aluminum Association president & CEO Tom Dobbins issued the following statement following the Department of Energy’s recent announcement of an $8.25 billion loan program to expand and improve the nation’s transmission grid. Separately, the Department of Transportation released guidance making it easier to build transmission lines near federal right of ways. President Biden reiterated a pledge to install “thousands of miles of transmission lines needed to build a resilient and fully clean grid” during his speech to Congress last night.
 
“These investments and regulatory changes are crucial to delivering on the Biden administration’s promise to modernize the nation’s electric grid and increase access to reliable clean energy. U.S. aluminum will be a key partner in this effort as the most widely used material in electricity transmission and distribution today. At about half the weight of copper and a lower price point, aluminum wire and cable allows utilities to run transmission lines with less upfront cost and with far fewer supporting structures. We encourage Congress and the White House to consider additional opportunities to modernize the electric grid, which would be a win for consumers, labor, business and U.S. aluminum.” 
 
Increased public and private investment in the nation’s electric grid is a key component of the Aluminum Association’s policy agenda. In January, the Aluminum Association released a new Presidential Policy Brief: Recommendations for a Strong U.S. Aluminum Industry – as part of its broader Aluminum Agenda policy roadmap – calling for significant new investment in the grid. The White House cited a recent report by the advocacy group Americans for a Clean Energy Grid which highlights 22 “shovel ready” U.S. transmission projects.

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About The Aluminum Association
The Aluminum Association represents aluminum production and jobs in the United States, ranging from primary production to value added products to recycling, as well as suppliers to the industry. The association is the industry’s leading voice, representing companies that make 70 percent of the aluminum and aluminum products shipped in North America. The association develops global standards, business intelligence, sustainability research and industry expertise for member companies, policymakers and the general public. The aluminum industry helps manufacturers produce sustainable and innovative products, including more fuel-efficient vehicles, recyclable packaging, greener buildings and modern electronics.  In the U.S., the aluminum industry supports $172 billion in economic activity and nearly 660,000 jobs. For more information visit https://www.aluminum.org, on Twitter @AluminumNews or at Facebook.com/AluminumAssociation.