ECONOMIC INDICATORS SMALL BUSINESSES SHOULD WATCH
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Experts say the economy is beginning the arduous recovery process. What does that mean for your business, and how long might it be before you see any improvement?
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Today in Manufacturing
Legislation would continue retraining program for workers laid off due to international trade and lower import duties on nearly 300 products used by U.S. manufacturers ... continue
Today in Manufacturing
Air quality regulators adopting regulations to give power plants, refineries and other major polluters a financial incentive to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions ... continue
Today in Manufacturing
Fewer people applied for unemployment benefits last week, the third drop in the past four weeks and a sign that the job market is slowly improving ... continue
UCAT PROVIDED TRAINING TO 1,283 UTAH COMPANIES
Utah College of Applied TechnologyCustom Fit Program keeps companies competitive during economic down times
In 2010, 16,968 people throughout Utah received custom, state-of-the-art training through Custom Fit — a dynamic partnership between the Utah College of Applied Technology (UCAT) and local businesses. Funded through the Utah State Legislature since its inception 25 years ago, the program is seen as investment in Utah’s economy and workforce development.
Last year, the program helped provide training to 1,283 companies including Fresenius Medical Care, Procter & Gamble, Viracon, JD Machine, Uintah Basin Medical Center, Carlisle-Syntec and Energy Solutions. The customized training is available to large and small businesses alike and can be conducted on-site or at any of UCAT’s eight campuses and affiliated institutions statewide from Logan to St. George.
“UCAT does what employers need — it’s at the core of our mission,” said UCAT President Rob Brems. “Custom Fit is helping hundreds of businesses give Utah a competitive edge for today’s global marketplace. Our applied technology college campuses are ready and proud to respond quickly to company training needs.”
The varied training programs have ranged from health care and oil/gas exploration to manufacturing and the food/services industry.
The funds for Custom Fit are appropriated by the Utah State Legislature and allocated by the UCAT Board of Trustees. Companies utilizing Custom Fit training must provide a financial contribution of at least 40 percent of the direct training costs, unless otherwise approved.
New and ongoing training can often be one of the first budget items a company will cut during times of economic difficulty. However, the Custom Fit program enables companies to stay competitive by offering training to new employees or upgrading skills while not having to bear the full brunt of the costs.
State Custom Fit Co-Chairs Kelle Stephens and Dana Slaughter agree that the Custom Fit program strengthens Utah’s economic base. “Custom Fit is really an investment in Utah’s economy. It pays dividends to individuals, to companies and to communities,” said Stephens.
In 2010, the appropriated budget for Custom Fit statewide was $3,286,900, with company contributions of $1,917,404.
Custom Fit training is provided through each of UCAT’s campuses:
Bridgerland Applied Technology College (Logan)
Davis Applied Technology College (Kaysville)
Dixie Applied Technology College (St. George)
Mountainland Applied Technology College (Provo)
Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College (Ogden)
Southwestern Applied Technology College (Cedar City)
Tooele Applied Technology College (Tooele)
Uintah Basin Applied Technology College (Roosevelt)
For more information about Custom Fit or to get in touch with companies that provide training through this program, got to www.ucat.edu/business/industry or contact Debra Hunsaker at 801/991-1060 or 801/628-1758.
CONGRESS MAY BAR EPA FUNDING FOR CAP-AND-TRADE
Jennifer ZajacHouse bill seeks to bar funding for EPA to implement carbon cap-and-trade program
U.S. Rep. Ted Poe, R-Texas, and approximately two dozen co-sponsors introduced legislation in the House of Representatives on Dec. 9 that would prohibit the use of federal funds for the U.S. EPA to implement or enforce a cap-and-trade program for emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
"The cap-and-trade national tax on energy consumption is the mother of all mandates," Poe said in a Dec. 9 news release. "Although the cap-and-tax legislation has not become law, the administration has indicated that it will implement this policy through new EPA regulations without Congress' approval. The American public has overwhelming disapproved of this policy and this bill will put an end to any back-door attempt to go around Congress and circumvent the will of the people."
Rep. John Shimkus, R-Ill., who was among the House Energy and Commerce Committee members vying to become chairman of the committee in January 2011, signed on as a sponsor of the bill, HR 6511. However, Rep. Fred Upton, the chairman-elect of the committee, is not among the bill's sponsors.
EPA delays new ozone rules for 3rd time
It turns out that EPA is not committed to issuing a final rule on reconsideration of the 2008 ozone standard before the end of this year, saying it wants to delay the release until next summer so it can review input from the independent Clean Air Science Advisory Committee.
"Given this ongoing scientific review, EPA intends to set a final standard in the range recommended by the CASAC by the end of July 2011," EPA press secretary Brendan Gilfillan wrote in an e-mail. "In addition to this standard, EPA is moving forward with a number of national rules that will significantly reduce pollution and improve public health for all Americans.
These include rules designed to reduce harmful emissions from cars, power plants and other industrial facilities that contribute to ozone formation. Taking additional time to complete the scientific review of the ozone standard will not delay the public health benefits of these rules."
The latest decision marks the third time this year that the agency has postponed issuing new rules for ozone. It is also the second filing this week that EPA has submitted to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia seeking a deadline extension for issuing rules. The agency filed a motion Dec. 7 requesting a delay for its regulations on air emissions from large and small boilers and solid waste incinerators, citing the need to re-propose the mandates based on an assessment of information received since the rules were proposed.
UMA MEMBERS IN THE NEWS:
KENNECOTT PROJECT WOULD CUT GREENHOUSE GASSES
UAE Weekly Energy Brief
MAGNA — Kennecott Utah Copper showed off a new power and steam generating plant on Wednesday that is part of a much larger project tied to state approval for mine expansion.
The larger project would see three coal-fired boilers built in the 1940s replaced with one larger turbine and boiler fueled by natural gas, which would reduce emissions and decrease its coal use for energy production from 87 percent now to 24 percent by 2014 and significantly reduce greenhouse gasses.
Kennecott said the improved power-generation strategy would be the company's single largest effort to improve air quality in the Salt Lake valley since it upgraded smelter emissions control systems in 1995. Total PM10 and PM10 precursor emissions at Kennecott would drop by more than 20 percent, the company said.
Kennecott is working to win state regulatory approval of a project that would allow the massive open-pit copper mine to expand, extending the mine's operational life. The new gas-fired power plant would provide 100 megawatts of additional power needed for that expansion, said Kelly Sanders, Kennecott Utah Copper's president and CEO.
"Kennecott's driver in proposing these upgrades is the desire to positively impact air quality in this constrained air shed and we are working hard to develop solutions," Sanders said. He added that Rio Tinto would reconsider the project if the expansion is not approved.
Rocky Anderson, executive director of High Road for Human Rights, called the plan "an important example to other industries that far more can be done to protect the public health and reduce the threat of catastrophic climate disruption.
"Generating power in a manner that results in significant reductions of carbon emissions is a very positive step forward," Anderson said, calling climate change issues a threat to essential human rights.
The power plant upgrade would leave one boiler, built in 1959, capable of running on either natural gas or coal, prompting a response to Kennecott's announcement from a coalition of seven environmental groups. The coalition says the group is pleased Kennecott has committed to reducing its use of coal but that it is disappointed Kennecott has not planned to eliminate coal altogether from its operation.
"This is most certainly a step in the right direction for the largest stationary, industrial source of air pollution (in the Salt Lake valley). Any such measure is a very positive move towards cleaning up the continual air pollution problems in our community and also a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions."
The statement is signed by Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment, Utah Moms for Clean Air, Post Carbon Salt Lake, Utah Chapter Sierra Club, Breathe Utah, Peaceful Uprising and Renewable Energy Resources.
The smaller plant that was the backdrop for Kennecott's Wednesday announcement is a 6.2 megawatt natural-gas fired plant that will provide half of the electricity needed for Kennecott's copper refinery. Exhaust gasses generate steam that is used at the plant. The larger project will also use exhaust gasses to produce steam that will turn power-generating turbines.
MICRON: FEW CHIP MAKERS WILL SURVIVE CONSOLIDATION
Today in Manufacturing
Head of Micron Technology predicts that only two or three memory chip manufacturing companies will survive the consolidation happening now in the industry ... continue
Quick Manufacturing News
China also pledged to keep off the books rules on 'indigenous innovation,' which state that high-tech goods must hold Chinese intellectual property rights. Click to continue
Quick Manufacturing News
Manufacturing production increased 0.3% in November Click to continue
TAX BILL IS AN IMPORTANT VICTORY FOR MANUFACTURERS
National Association of ManufacturersManufacturers achieved one of this year’s most significant legislative victories yesterday when the House passed H.R. 4853, the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010. The bill now goes to President Obama, who will sign it into law.
The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and our members worked many months to accomplish this important tax compromise, which provides a solid tax and investment climate for manufacturers over the next two years.
The bill enacts the critical two-year extension of all individual tax rates established as pro-growth measures in 2001 and 2003. The NAM significantly shaped the debate by stressing how the expiration of the top rates would severely hit small manufacturers, damaging job creation and investment.
Opposition in Congress to these extensions was formidable. The NAM made our case by emphasizing the vital role that manufacturers play in creating jobs and economic growth. In our “Key Vote” letter, we cited the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office’s estimate that fully extending the 2001/03 individual rates could lead to up to 1.4 million jobs in 2011 and as many as 2.7 million jobs in 2012. Moreover, the lower tax rates on capital gains and dividends will boost capital investment and economic growth.
Business tax extenders, another top NAM priority, are also included in the legislation: the research and development (R&D) credit, the look-through rules, deferral for active financing, energy efficiency credits and others. The addition of the 100-percent expensing provision will encourage investment and create demand for machinery and equipment.
In addition, the legislation prevents the estate tax’s return in 2011 at the full, destructive 55 percent top rate with just a $1 million exemption. The final and very positive language – a 35 percent top rate with a $10 million exemption for joint filers – is a compromise that achieves what was politically possible this year.
Yesterday’s passage of the tax legislation is also a testament to the great work that NAM members did leading up to the 2010 congressional elections. I believe the NAM’s policy document and call to action, our “Manufacturing Strategy for Jobs and a Competitive America,” helped frame the campaign debates this year, ultimately helping to produce yesterday’s legislative victory.
The final days of the 111th Congress are extraordinarily busy with many issues still on manufacturers’ agenda. Still, yesterday’s final passage of this tax compromise is worth marking as an important victory for manufacturers this year in Congress. Thank you for your support in helping to make it possible.
Today in Manufacturing
Cost to taxpayers for the government's $700 billion bailout will be less than the $25 billion price tag in the latest estimate, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said ... continue
Quick Manufacturing News
The National Institute of Standards and Technology is targeting fields ranging from biopharmaceuticals and electronics to renewable energy sources. Click to continue
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The Hackett Group's latest research found that close to 1.1 million jobs in corporate finance, IT and other business functions were lost at large U.S. and European companies in 2008 and 2009 due to a combination of offshoring, productivity improvements and lack of economic growth. Click to continue
Quick Manufacturing News
U.S. service centers in November posted their third consecutive month of declining shipments for both steel and aluminum products, though Canadian centers showed healthy increases in shipments of both metals. While the monthly results were mixed, the year-to-date figures remain uniformly solid for both metals in Canada and the U.S., and the year-on-year data shows considerable improvement. Click to continue
Quick Manufacturing News
The country produces more than 95% of the world's rare earths Click to continue
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MAPI forecasts manufacturing production will increase 4% in 2011 and advance by 5% in 2012. Click to continue
Today in Manufacturing
Regulators overwhelmingly approved nation's most extensive system, giving owners of major polluters financial incentives to emit fewer greenhouse gases ... continue
ANALYSIS OF NEW TAX EXTENDER LEGISLATION
National Association of ManufacturersHere is Deloitte’s publication, Staying in Place, an analysis of the provisions in the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010. President Obama signed the bill into law.
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