The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), the Washington-based trade association for the U.S. paper and wood products manufacturing sector, has announced its top 2016 advocacy priorities. Working with member companies and allied industries, the association says it hopes to stem the tide of regulatory overreach by working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Congress and other stakeholders.
Among its leading concerns, AF&PA says it plans to promote the industry’s sustainability record and inform state and federal regulators of the industry’s progress toward improved energy efficiency, paper recovery for recycling, sustainable forestry and safety incident rates as well as decreased greenhouse gas emissions and water use.
“Paper and wood products manufacturers operate in a highly competitive global marketplace,” says AF&PA President and CEO Donna Harman. “On behalf of the more than 900,000 men and women who make our products, it is important that public policies do not impede business investment and job creation.”
AF&PA says its top 2016 advocacy priorities include:
Among its leading concerns, AF&PA says it plans to promote the industry’s sustainability record and inform state and federal regulators of the industry’s progress toward improved energy efficiency, paper recovery for recycling, sustainable forestry and safety incident rates as well as decreased greenhouse gas emissions and water use.
“Paper and wood products manufacturers operate in a highly competitive global marketplace,” says AF&PA President and CEO Donna Harman. “On behalf of the more than 900,000 men and women who make our products, it is important that public policies do not impede business investment and job creation.”
AF&PA says its top 2016 advocacy priorities include:
- advancing reforms that account for the cumulative regulatory burden facing manufacturers and ensure regulations are based on best available scientific and technical information through a transparent and accountable rulemaking process;
- supporting recognition of biomass energy as carbon neutral and minimizing costs in the implementation of the Clean Power Plan;
- defending against overreach on air and water regulations affecting the industry, including human health water quality criteria and encourage adoption of permitting modernization for National Ambient Air Quality Standards;
- maintaining access to paper-based communication options for government services and information to serve the millions of Americans who either choose to forego or lack access to digital communication;
- advocating for open market access for industry exports, which account for 15 percent of all shipments, through international trade agreements such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership and advocating against unfair international trade practices that affect paper and wood products markets;
- urging congressional action to comprehensively reform the tax code to improve U.S. manufacturers’ competitiveness.
“The exponential growth in U.S. regulations is harming many segments of our economy, including paper and wood products manufacturing. We will work in 2016 and beyond for federal and state policies that unleash the potential for American economic leadership,” says Harman. “We plan to respond vigorously to potential midnight regulations as we enter this administration’s final year and work proactively for positive change.”
For more information about AF&PA and all of the issues it will address in 2016, visit www.afandpa.org/issues.
For more information about AF&PA and all of the issues it will address in 2016, visit www.afandpa.org/issues.