AF&PA commends EPA for further review on Boiler MACT rules after court-mandated deadline

WASHINGTON, DC, Jan. 21, 2011 (Press Release) - American Forest & Paper Association President and CEO Donna Harman today issued the following response to the Environmental Protection Agency's statement regarding the rulemaking process on the Maximum Achievable Control Technology for Industrial Boilers (Boiler MACT).

"I commend EPA for announcing that it intends to provide further public review and comment after the Boiler MACT rules are finalized to meet the extremely tight, court-mandated deadline. I am pleased that EPA has stated that the rule to be issued next month will be ‘significantly different than what EPA proposed in April 2010.'

"Yesterday's ruling by the court was very disappointing, but EPA is showing the leadership necessary to have an opportunity to get the rule right. We look forward to continuing to work with the Administration toward achieving a rule that keeps Americans healthy and keeps Americans working.

"Just this week, President Obama signed an executive order pledging a re-evaluation of regulations to ensure they do not stifle job growth. This regulation provides a great opportunity for the Administration to implement the President's directive."

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 and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 48 states.