Forest Products Industry Testifies in Support of Legislative Action to Improve Air Quality Standards
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.”