AF&PA welcomes EPA request for 15-month extension to re-propose Boiler MACT rule

WASHINGTON, DC, Dec. 7, 2010 (Press Release) - American Forest & Paper Association President and CEO Donna Harman today issued the following statement regarding the Environmental Protection Agency announcement to seek an extension to re-propose the Boiler MACT rule for further comments.

"We welcome EPA's decision to take more time to evaluate the data that will support a Boiler MACT rule that puts "Achievability" back in MACT. Last week's disappointing jobs numbers underscore the urgency for the country to find a path forward on environmental regulations that will support existing jobs and new job creation.

"In August, AF&PA publicly released a report on the impact the proposed rule would have on manufacturing jobs, citing nearly 17,000 jobs that would be lost at pulp and paper mills, and almost 72,000 jobs at risk throughout the industry's supply chain. AF&PA submitted more than 500 pages of comments on the proposed rule, detailing the issues of concern and offering alternative approaches to protect the environment and support jobs.

"We support EPA's decision to ask the court for 15 more months to re-propose the Boiler MACT rule and make a thorough assessment of the data. I am hopeful the EPA has heard the concerns with the aspects of the initially proposed rule and that the revised rule will be written with an eye toward U.S. competitiveness."