AWC Comments on EPA’s Release of Biogenic CO2 Accounting Framework

WASHINGTON - American Wood Council (AWC) President and CEO Robert Glowinski has issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) release of its proposed Accounting Framework for Biogenic CO2 Emissions.

“We are encouraged that EPA has released the Accounting Framework and memo today. Based on our preliminary review, it appears EPA recognizes the carbon neutrality of biomass energy produced from wood products manufacturing residuals.

“On average, approximately 75 percent of the energy AWC members use comes from residual biomass. Using manufacturing residuals takes advantage of the inherent energy available in biomass that would otherwise be lost to the atmosphere from disposal or biodegradation. Sustainably-managed forests and the products that come from them also act as carbon sinks, absorbing and sequestering atmospheric carbon that would otherwise contribute to greenhouse gas formation.”