The US steel industry is urging President-elect Barack Obama to institute a public works plan to boost demand for domestic-made steel, the New York Times reported Friday.
This public works plan would include infrastructure projects which require large amounts of steel, such as mass transit systems and bridge repair. In addition to increasing US steel consumption, the steelmakers want the government to include a provision that prohibits the use of import steel for these projects.
Nucor CEO Daniel DiMicco was quoted as saying that the industry is asking the incoming administration to "deal with the worst economic slowdown in our lifetime through a recovery program that has in every provision a 'buy America' clause."
The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) is also lobbying for a domestic steel stimulus package. AISI spokesperson Nancy Gravatt stated that the organization is "sharing with the President-elect's transition team our thoughts in terms of the industry's policy priorities."
The President-elect has indicated that his team will announce a major infrastructure stimulus package, though he has yet to specify any details of the plan.