The following letter from Eric Svenson, Master CEF, Chief Executive Officer of Plating Resources, was actually sent to President Donald Trump.
President Donald J. Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC, 20500
Eric Svenson Sr.Dear Mr. President:
Greetings, Sir. I am a veteran and the owner of a small family business that serves the hard chrome plating industry. I am writing to request your help in preserving our trade, which is critical to America’s economy and defense.
One of your important goals is to reduce excessive regulations that plague American business and our defense programs. Hard chromium is used on many important components, including weapon systems, avionics, space exploration, hydraulics, and numerous vital industrial applications. Hard chrome is used wherever a hard, wear-resistant surface is needed. My 60 years of industry experience have allowed me to publish several papers, articles, and books on the technology.
With this in mind, I urge you to eliminate any further restrictions the EPA may impose on the hard chrome plating process. This trade includes governmental repair sites, industrial manufacturers, and small family-owned job shops. This broad spectrum involves everything from essential defense applications to our overall economy.
The EPA's prior approach restricted hard chrome plating through ever-increasing emissions regulations, driving many of these companies out of business. A recent California CARB ruling even mandates an outright ban on all hexavalent chrome plating. Our nation will be in a very dangerous position if this trend continues.
The current EPA approach is to substitute hard chrome with one of the so-called replacement coatings. Unfortunately, none of these offer the same properties as hexavalent hard chrome, and many compound the problem by generating excessive hazardous waste.
We all believe in environmental stewardship and doing the right thing. Still, there are better ways to address this without regulating the hard chrome industry out of business and degrading America in the process.
A recent Sustainable Hard Chrome development demonstrates that hexavalent hard chrome plating can be conducted safely for both the environment and workers. There is no need for special fume suppressants, tank lids, or enclosures; production is thus unincumbered.
The results of a new sustainable approach development were demonstrated with testing by an EPA-approved laboratory, with astonishing results while at maximum production capacity:
- Results after Hex-Hard Chrome Plating for 160,000 Ampere Hours (20,000 DC amperes x 8 hours).
- Ventilation Stack Discharge: Zero Chrome (below detectable limits).
- Liquid Waste Generated: Zero Chrome or other chemical waste.
- Worker Breathing Air: Averaged 100 X below OSHA’s PEL for Cr.
Zero chrome discharge and breathing air that’s 100 times below the OSHA safe standard is indeed impressive. It doesn’t get much safer than zero emissions. This was achieved with redesigned equipment and using a more efficient process; nothing fancy, just common-sense American engineering.
The EPA may have overlooked or disregarded these amazing results. Adopting sustainable hard chrome technology can save this industry and strengthen our economy and national defense.
I encourage you to have the EPA consider the practicality of promoting the sustainable hard chrome approach instead of overburdening the industry with excessive regulations that endanger America’s global position and greatness.
Thank you for your valued service to our constitutional republic. Your accomplishments are truly impressive, and we gratefully appreciate your efforts.
Sincerely,
Eric Svenson, Master CEF
Chief Executive Officer
Plating Resources, Inc.
www.plating.com
