Paper, Wood Products Manufacturers Applaud Oregon’s Carbon Neutrality Policy

WASHINGTON – American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Donna Harman and American Wood Council (AWC) President and CEO Robert Glowinski have issued the following statements supporting today’s passage of a bill (SB 752) by the Oregon Legislative Assembly to conditionally exempt carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from biomass from state air pollution regulations.

Donna Harman, President and CEO, AF&PA:
“Oregon has long recognized biomass energy as renewable and carbon neutral, a policy that has worked well in supporting both forest health and the state’s rural economy. We thank Senators Chris Edwards and Tim Knopp for leading this legislation.”

Robert Glowinski, President and CEO, AWC:
“The net impact of this carbon cycle is that CO2 flows in and out of forests and through the forest products industry by both biomass combustion and sequestration in products. The carbon neutrality of energy from biomass harvested from sustainably managed forests has been repeatedly recognized by an abundance of studies and is accepted by agencies, institutions, regulations and legislation. This bill will reinstate and codify Oregon’s carbon neutrality policy.”

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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 www.afandpa.org or follow us on Twitter @ForestandPaper.

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