NEMA Urges Commerce Dept to Pass Acts That Aid Semiconductor Development

November 11, 2021

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) – in its recommendations to the Commerce Department Bureau of Industry and Security – highlighted the need for establishing U.S. semiconductor manufacturing and supply chain capabilities to applications across the economy that enable essential functionality in connectivity, manufacturing, and smart building and mobility technologies.

“All aspects of the economy rely on an adequate and reliable supply of semiconductors, including NEMA members, whose products perform essential functions across critical infrastructure. In fact, sufficient availability of semiconductors will be critical in achieving the shared infrastructure improvement goals enabled by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act recently passed by Congress,” said NEMA President and CEO Debra Phillips.

NEMA member companies’ products that utilize semiconductors span healthcare, energy, grid, information technology, medical imaging, transportation, schools, water/wastewater, high performance commercial buildings, and efficient home appliances. These products include: electricity meters; control gear for medium- and high-voltage switching and breaking equipment; advanced industrial automation equipment including robots and control panels; LED drivers for new/replacement lighting; lighting dimmers; sensors for indoor/outdoor lighting; thermostats; fire alarms; medical imaging equipment; submeters; and security systems.

“We ask for equity so that the health, safety, comfort, productivity, and quality of life for all Americans can be met. It is essential that the nation’s semiconductor supply be available across industry sectors and that Administration policy deliver essential supply for all applications,” Phillips added.

NEMA strongly urged the Administration to implement policies that expand the availability of semiconductors and invest in future production. NEMA also noted that government policy should focus on availability of all types of chips, including memory chips, microprocessors, standard chips, and chips with complex embedded software systems.

As stated in a May 2021 letter to Commerce Secretary Raimondo, NEMA advocates for an adequate supply of semiconductors and similar products to ensure Americans’ continued access to the equipment and systems manufactured by electrical and medical imaging manufacturers.

Unfortunately, demand for semiconductors continues to surge at the same time the electroindustry faces global supply constraints. NEMA called on Congress to fund the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) for America Act and pass the Facilitating American Built Semiconductors (FABS) Act. These proposals would encourage domestic manufacturing, which will lower costs and expand supply.