WASHINGTON, DC,
March 8, 2011
(Press Release) -
American Forest & Paper Association President and CEO Donna Harman today issued the following statement regarding the Energy Tax Prevention Act (H.R. 910) as introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI), Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-MN), Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Nick Rahall (D-WV), and Energy and Power Subcommittee Chairman Ed Whitfield (R-KY).
"I applaud the introduction of this bi-partisan legislation to bring a halt to regulation of greenhouse gases through the Clean Air Act. There is broad agreement that the Clean Air Act is the wrong tool to regulate greenhouse gases. The rule serves to impose high costs and business uncertainty related to new investments in the manufacturing sector. Congress, not EPA, should decide energy policy; in particular, issues related to investments in renewable energy, including biomass.
"The Greenhouse Gas regulations are the latest example of those that would hamper job growth and put obstacles in the way of American business to compete in the global marketplace. Inexplicably, this is happening as other parts of the Administration are promoting the need for more exports and job creation.
"I commend Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI), Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-MN), Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Nick Rahall (D-WV), and Energy and Power Subcommittee Chairman Ed Whitfield (R-KY) for introducing this legislation. We look forward to working with Congress on this very important issue."
The American Forest & Paper Association is the national trade association of the forest products industry, representing pulp, paper, packaging and wood products manufacturers, and forest landowners. Our companies make products essential for everyday life from renewable and recyclable resources that sustain the environment. The forest products industry accounts for approximately 5 percent of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP. Industry companies produce about $175 billion in products annually and employ nearly 900,000 men and women, exceeding employment levels in the automotive, chemicals and plastics industries. The industry meets a payroll of approximately $50 billion annually and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 47 states.
