by Philip Squair, Vice President, Government Relations, NEMA

NEMA has been advocating for an updated national infrastructure policy for years. The association’s seven Divisions offer products and solutions designed and manufactured to help customers operate efficiently and productively.

But as we move ever closer to the November elections, it’s easy to get caught up in the ebbs and flows of the daily news cycle. If we zoom out to take a longer-term view, it’s possible to see that the electroindustry in general—and NEMA Members in particular—are well-positioned to thrive, no matter who wins the Presidency or which party controls Congress. There are several reasons for this.

OUR AGENDA IS FUTURE-ORIENTED

NEMA strongly believes that any plan to repair and update America’s infrastructure needs to be comprehensive, modernizing, and realistic. A thorough plan will cover traditional physical infrastructure aspects such as roads, bridges, and electricity but also foster forward-looking advanced technologies. A modernizing plan will ensure that America meets its infrastructure needs in the future in addition to patching today’s potholes. Finally, a realistic  strategy will focus resources on those areas that ensure safety, reliability, and efficiency using proven, cost-effective technologies. While there is room for debate over the details, neither political party disagrees with the premise that updating America’s infrastructure is needed.

OUR AGENDA LOOKS BEYOND EFFICIENCY

The electroindustry has been ahead of the curve by offering innovative products that help customers reduce their energy consumption. But other environmental concerns beyond efficiency have gained traction in recent years, making these products even more valuable.

Here again, NEMA Members will meet customer demands for products and equipment that can also advance America’s policy objectives in those areas where society demands it.

OUR AGENDA IS BIPARTISAN

We support congressional action on infrastructure legislation to help the country recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and get our economy moving again. NEMA recommendations focus on high-value-added sectors and segments of our industries and the economy overall. We believe that when U.S. companies succeed, both domestically and in overseas markets, it helps U.S. employment, so public policy should focus on attracting businesses to the U.S. and fostering open trade.

Wanting to successfully move the U.S. economy into a post-pandemic Next Normal period is something that any Congress or Administration would seek to accomplish. We  will need to move beyond short-term proposals and into long-term investments to benefit the country in measurable ways. But the bottom line for the electroindustry is this: no matter who wins the 2020 elections, NEMA  and its Members will be well-positioned for success because we make the products people want for a clean, reliable, and safe future. ei