Forest Products Groups say EPA Overlooks Biomass in Clean Air Rules

WASHINGTON – American Wood Council (AWC) President and CEO Robert Glowinski and American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Donna Harman have issued the following statements expressing concern about the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) final Clean Power Plan released today.
 
Robert Glowinski, President and CEO, AWC: 
“The forest products industry operates in a highly competitive market and increases in our energy costs can significantly harm our competitiveness. Moreover, EPA’s biogenic accounting framework took steps to recognize the unique energy benefits of using biomass residuals, and EPA needs to fully recognize that carbon neutrality across their regulations. We will carefully consider all legal and legislative options to address our concerns.”
 
Donna Harman, President and CEO, AF&PA: 
“We are reviewing both the final Clean Power Plan and the proposed Federal Implementation Plan to ensure that biomass energy produced from forest products manufacturing residuals is recognized as a carbon benefit to the atmosphere. We’re concerned that purchased electricity costs for manufacturers will increase as a result of this EPA action and the nation’s grid reliability will be further jeopardized. We believe that the final rule is an unprecedented federal intrusion on local energy mix decisions previously in the hands of the states and consumers.”
  
About AWC
The American Wood Council (AWC) is the voice of North American wood products manufacturing, representing over 75 percent of an industry that provides approximately 400,000 men and women with family-wage jobs. AWC members make products that are essential to everyday life from a renewable resource that absorbs and sequesters carbon. Staff experts develop state-of-the-art engineering data, technology, and standards for wood products to assure their safe and efficient design, as well as provide information on wood design, green building, and environmental regulations. AWC also advocates for balanced government policies that affect wood products.
www.awc.org | @woodcouncil
 
About AF&PA
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance a sustainable U.S. pulp, paper, packaging, and wood products manufacturing industry through fact-based public policy and marketplace advocacy. AF&PA member companies make products essential for everyday life from renewable and recyclable resources and are committed to continuous improvement through the industry’s sustainability initiative - Better Practices, Better Planet 2020.The forest products industry accounts for approximately 4 percent of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufactures over $200 billion in products annually, and employs approximately 900,000 men and women. The industry meets a payroll of approximately $50 billion annually and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 47 states. Visit AF&PA online at afandpa.org or follow us on Twitter @ForestandPaper.
 

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About the author
Bill Esler | ConfSenior Editor

Bill wrote for WoodworkingNetwork.com, FDMC and Closets & Organized Storage magazines. 

Bill's background includes more than 10 years in print manufacturing management, followed by more than 30 years in business reporting on industrial manufacturing in the forest products industries, including printing and packaging at American Printer (Features Editor) and Graphic Arts Monthly (Editor in Chief) magazines; and in secondary wood manufacturing for WoodworkingNetwork.com.

Bill was deeply involved with the launches of the Woodworking Network Leadership Forum, and the 40 Under 40 Awards programs. He currently reports on technology and business trends and develops conference programs.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Bill supports efforts to expand and improve educational opportunities in the manufacturing sectors, including 10 years on the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation; six years with the U.S. WoodLinks; and currently on the Woodwork Career Alliance Education Committee. He is also supports the Greater West Town Training Partnership Woodworking Program, which has trained more than 950 adults for industrial wood manufacturing careers. 

Bill volunteers for Foinse Research Station, a biological field station staddling the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland, one of more than 200 members of the Organization of Biological Field Stations.