WASHINGTON – On behalf of the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) and American Wood Council (AWC), public policy expert Paul Noe testified today before the House Energy and Commerce Committee examining the need for legislative action to modernize U.S. air quality programs.
AF&PA President & CEO Heidi Brock and AWC President & CEO Jackson Morrill issued the following joint statement after today’s Congressional hearing:
“The evolving and uncertain regulatory burden is at odds with the goal of modernizing and growing U.S. manufacturing. We support the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s work to develop legislation that would greatly improve the NAAQS program and permitting process.
"The forest products industry has a long track record of investing in the modernization of our mills to further reduce emissions and support sustainable manufacturing operations. Recent rulemakings risk stopping these projects in their tracks, like the recent particulate matter standard.
“Furthermore, communities will not truly benefit until the 84% of particulate matter emissions that come from other sources – such as wildfires and road dust – are addressed.
“Unfortunately, this is only the tip of the regulatory iceberg. If we don’t change our trajectory, we will see a net loss for our mills, our employees and the environment. It is imperative the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the White House and Congress strike a balance that achieves sustainable regulations while supporting American manufacturing.”
The American Wood Council (AWC) represents 87 percent of the structural wood products industry and the more than 450,000 men and women working family-wage jobs in mills across the country. From dimension lumber to engineered wood products, we champion the development of data, technology, and standards to ensure the best use of wood products and recognition of their unique sustainability and carbon-reduction benefits. We are leaders in providing education to the design, code and fire official communities who view AWC as a trusted and credible resource.
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance U.S. paper and wood products manufacturers through fact-based public policy and marketplace advocacy. The forest products industry is circular by nature. AF&PA member companies make essential products from renewable and recyclable resources, generate renewable bioenergy and are committed to continuous improvement through the industry’s sustainability initiative —Better Practices, Better Planet 2030: Sustainable Products for a Sustainable Future. The forest products industry accounts for approximately 5% of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufactures about $350 billion in products annually and employs about 925,000 people. The industry meets a payroll of about $65 billion annually and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 43 states. Visit AF&PA online at afandpa.org or follow us on Twitter @ForestandPaper.
Source: AF&PA
