From MERA Remanufacturing News
On Feb. 25, Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and James Lankford (R-OK) introduced the Federal Vehicle Repair Cost Savings Act (S. 565), which encourages the federal government to use remanufactured parts when maintaining the federal vehicle fleet. According to a press release issued by the bill’s sponsors, “The bipartisan measure requires federal agencies to encourage the use of remanufactured parts when doing so lowers costs, maintains quality and performance and does not compromise safety.”
Sen. Peters stated, “I’m proud that the first bill I’m introducing in the Senate is a bipartisan, common sense measure that will help save taxpayers money, promote conservation by remanufacturing parts, and support remanufacturing suppliers in Michigan and across the country.”
Sen. Lankford added, “Congress must consider every way to conserve limited federal dollars within every agency and every budget line-item. Encouraging remanufactured auto parts when repairing government vehicles is a worthy cost-cutting measure to save taxpayer money, and I’m pleased to co-sponsor this bill.”
A General Accountability Office study released in 2013 found that the federal government spends nearly $1 billion per year to maintain some 588,000 government vehicles. And, according to the U.S. International Trade Commission, the United States is the world’s largest producer, consumer and exporter of remanufactured goods. Remanufacturing of motor vehicle parts creates more than 30,000 full time jobs, while remanufacturing of off-road equipment creates more than 20,000 additional jobs.
Reacting to the introduction of the Peters-Lankford bill, Steve Handschuh, president and CEO of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) said, “Remanufacturing is sustainable manufacturing. With this bipartisan legislation, our country is well-positioned to take full advantage of the quality, value and sustainability benefits associated with remanufactured goods.”
John Chalifoux, president and COO of the Motor & Equipment Remanufacturers Association – a market segment of MEMA, added, “We thank Sens. Peters and Lankford for their leadership and the introduction of this legislation. Remanufacturing is the future of manufacturing, and a critical component of the circular economy.”
Supporters of the legislation are seeking to have a companion version introduced in the House of Representatives. Sens. Peters and Lankford both serve on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which has jurisdiction over the bill. Committee consideration of the bill may take place as early as March 4, 2015.
