The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) issued a public statement to 2012 presidential and congressional candidates outlining proposals that create a more secure, energy-efficient, and healthy future for the country and its citizens.

According to NEMA President and CEO Evan R. Gaddis, election years give NEMA the opportunity to share with candidates the association’s priorities and recommendations for a better America.

"NEMA’s member manufacturers support over a million jobs in more than 50 different sectors of the electrical equipment and medical imaging industries. Our members’ products promote efficiency, grow the economy, and save lives," Gaddis said.

The proposal includes recommendations to:

• Strengthen America’s electrical infrastructure with policies that incentivize utilities to invest in Smart Grid technologies and energy storage.
• Expedite approval of electrical transmission lines by giving the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission broader transmission siting authority.
• Promote high performance buildings with Energy Savings Performance Contracts for federal buildings and tax incentives for commercial and industrial buildings.
• Protect access to medical imaging through policies that improve health, save lives, and lower costs. These include repealing the 2.3% medical device excise tax, opposing prior approval from non-physician radiology benefit managers, and avoiding further cuts in Medicare reimbursements.
• Simplify the tax code, broaden the tax base, and reduce tax rates to make U.S. industry more competitive.

A copy of Saving Energy & Saving Lives is available on the NEMA website.

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