April 2022 / Vol. 27 No. 4
SEC Proposes Landmark ESG-Climate Rule
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently published a proposal that would require companies to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions and be held to account for their climate promises.
The rule would generate detailed information on how corporations, financial services firms, and other businesses are being affected by climate change. It would require executives to explain how they’re coping with extreme weather, supply chain disruptions and other climate-related upheavals.
NEMA is currently tracking the development of the proposal, will organize industry comments, and coordinate meetings with relevant SEC staff.
— Todd Sims, Director of Government Relations, NEMA
NIST Releases Risk Management Framework Draft for AI
In March, the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) released its draft framework for risk management regarding artificial intelligence. The draft RMF seeks to help both current and potential users of artificial intelligence systems to better understand, identify, and manage the societal risks and unintended consequences of the technology. Both MITA and NEMA members participated in roundtables with NIST staff at the start of the year to share thoughts and perspectives on what the agency should consider in the framework. The draft framework can be found here.
Policymakers on both the state and federal levels have been increasingly concerned around the negative consequences of automated decision-making through algorithms, particularly in the wake of then-Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen’s testimony in the fall of 2021. Numerous bills have been introduced in the US Senate (S. 3572; S. 1667; S. 1628), and California has recently introduced a bill (A.B. 2408) that would make companies liable for social-media addiction through their platforms. While legislation is aimed at regulating AI-technologies aimed at children, in practice much of this legislation could place overreaching guardrails around the technology, which many non-social media centered industries worry will stifle investment and adoption of AI more broadly.
NIST’s release of the RMF and legislative action throughout the country are being done simultaneously, not in conjunction with one another. However, it does show that AI is quickly becoming a policy area of concern and opportunity. NEMA will host a webinar, “AI 101” on Wednesday, April 13, at 2 pm EST. Click here to register.
— Peter Ferrell, Manager, Connectivity and Data Policy, NEMA
NEMA launches Buy America(n) Microsite
NEMA has launched a microsite containing NEMA-developed resources and other information to help companies better understand, navigate, and benefit from the Buy America(n) provisions. Because additional guidance is currently being developed by federal agencies, this page will be kept updated with new guidance and resources. NEMA has also established a working group to steer the electroindustry’s engagement on Buy American and Buy America policies. Members can contact NEMA staff to join the working group or for more information.
— Madeleine Bugel, Senior Manager, International and Trade
NEMA Advocates GSL Transition Time
On March 22nd Alex Boesenberg and Peter Ferrell met with Congressman Brendan Boyle’s office (D-PA) to advocate for more transition time to obsolesce incandescent general service lamps, citing strong concerns for DOE’s proposed 60-day implementation period and its potential negative impacts on U.S. lighting jobs caused by stranded inventory. The final determination of the 45 lumens per watt (LPW) backstop standard is now in <90-day Executive review with the Office of Management and Budget.
— Alex Boesenberg, Director of Regulatory Affairs, NEMA
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