AWC, AF&PA: Biomass Benefits Should be Recognized in Clean Power Plan Federal Plan and Model Rules

American Wood Council (AWC) President and CEO Robert Glowinski and American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Donna Harman have issued the following statements after filing joint comments requesting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recognize the benefits of biomass as a fuel source in its Clean Power Plan (CPP) federal plan and model carbon trading rules.

Robert Glowinski, President and CEO, AWC:  “The greenhouse gas reduction benefits of using biomass manufacturing residuals for energy by the wood products industry are equivalent to removing the emissions of approximately 4.6 million cars from the road each year. Carbon neutral biomass should explicitly be included as a compliance option in the final Federal Plan and model rules to ensure that EPA and states can consider biomass energy to meet their greenhouse gas reduction goals. Moreover, EPA needs to fully recognize the carbon neutrality of biomass energy across their regulations.”

Donna Harman, President and CEO, AF&PA:  “EPA’s federal plan and model rules should provide for least-costly implementation possible to ratepayers and the economy, including recognizing the climate benefits of biomass energy. EPA needs to provide more certainty to biomass as a fuel. For example, the agency should list pre-approved qualified biomass fuels so that states know which options are on the table for CPP compliance. Our industry relies on forest biomass and manufacturing residuals in a variety of forms to generate about two-thirds of the energy we need to operate; failure to explicitly list these materials as good sources of energy will result in inefficiencies and unnecessary waste.”
http://afandpa.org/media/news/2016/01/21/awc-af-pa-biomass-benefits-should-be-recognized-in-clean-power-plan-federal-plan-and-model-rules

Related Posts

Pearson receives ‘two trees’ rating in new WWF Timber Scorecard

The WWF has published a ‘Timber Scorecard’ report assessing over 100 companies’ performance in terms of sourcing sustainable timber and timber products. Pearson was given a ranking of ‘two trees’ out of a possible three in the scorecard. This indicates Pearson has made a very good start on the sustainability journey through the commitments the company has made to source FSC, PEFC and recycled products as well as establishing control mechanisms over the way it uses timber products. Peter Hughes, Sustainability Director at Pearson said: “At Pearson, our commercial success goes hand in hand with a focus on operating sustainably and responsibly. This is the right thing to do and positions us strongly to succeed in a fast-changing global environment. “We have been members of WWF’s Global Forest and Trade Network for over a decade and understand the importance of sustainable sourcing and efficient usage of paper. We’re pleased with the WWF scorecard rating, but will continually look at ways of improving our impact on the environment.”

APP leads adoption of global sustainability reporting standards in Indonesia

Asia Pulp & Paper (APP), part of Sinarmas, received the Special Commendation for Early Adopted GRI Standards at the Sustainability Reporting Awards (SRA) in Solo, Indonesia. This is the fifth award that APP received from the SRA and recognizes APP as a trailblazer in the adoption of the newest GRI Standards for its sustainability reporting in the country. Issued by the independent standards organization Global Reporting Initiative in early 2017 to replace the earlier version “G4 Guidelines”, the GRI Standards is the world’s first standardized sustainability reporting structure to be applied globally. The organization recommended early adoption of the latest GRI Standards, which otherwise would be officially effective from 1 July 2018. Heeding the call, APP had applied the latest standards in developing its 2016 Sustainability Report. Click Read More below for additional information.

Celebs Support New Smokey Bear Fire Prevention Campaign

For years, through the voice of actor Sam Elliott, Smokey Bear only said five words: “Only you can prevent wildfires,” but the iconic spokes-bear is receiving help from celebrities to expand his fire safety and wildfire prevention message. An new PSA campaign, developed with the U.S. Forest Service, the National Association of State Foresters, the Ad Council, and Interpublic’s FCB, is introducing ads that incorporate the voices of celebrities Stephen Colbert, Al Roker and Jeff Foxworthy with the CGI-animated Smokey to further address fire dangers like burning yard debris. Foxworthy, to that end, riffs on his famous "you might be a redneck" joke, Roker mentions his well-known catchphrase "your neck of the woods," while Colbert plays off his last name—“Col-Bear.” Click Read More below for additional detail.
Back To Top
×Close search
Search