WASHINGTON, DC,
March 9, 2011
(Press Release) -
The following are excerpts from written testimony submitted by American Forest & Paper Association President and CEO Donna Harman during today's hearing before the House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs.
"A key issue for this committee to consider is the cumulative effect of the growing number of new regulations. We are facing over twenty Clean Air Act regulations, including Boiler MACT that could have a dramatic impact on our industry." "If more mills are forced to close their doors permanently, we will lose additional high paying, tax generating jobs. Exports will drop and imports will increase since no other country is contemplating requirements this extreme." "EPA is considering redoing the Pulp and Paper MACTs issued a decade ago even though MACT is supposed to be a one-time program. Given the stringency and unachievability of the Boiler MACT, we are very concerned that a similar approach will lead to a rule with over $4 billion in additional capital costs. EPA's obligations are to look at the health risks that remain after MACT, not a total MACT do-over." "Under the Clean Air Act, Congress directed EPA to consider, every five years, whether any changes are needed to the NAAQS. In March 2008, EPA replaced the 1997 ozone standard with a new, more stringent standard. Even before that standard will be fully implemented, EPA is considering tightening it further -- two years ahead of the usual statutory schedule." "Living with such an uncertain regulatory environment can not only cost current jobs, but it can prevent new jobs from being created. Companies frequently find themselves tangled in a web of rules and restrictions that result in the decision to simply not make an investment because of the ambiguity and uncertainty of the regulatory process." "EPA has the power to protect public health while using its statutory authority to create more affordable programs. We hope the Committee's oversight activities will help encourage EPA to focus on the highest priorities." 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.
