WASHINGTON – The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) today announced advocacy priorities 2015, which – along with member companies and other industry allies – the association will work to ensure are addressed by regulatory agencies, Congress, and other key stakeholders in Washington, D.C. and in state capitals. These include:

• Regulatory Reform: Congress should unleash the power of the U.S. economy by reducing the investment-stifling regulatory burden.
• Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Regulations: EPA must recognize biomass energy as carbon neutral in upcoming GHG and prevention of significant deterioration regulations and in state 111d implementation plans.
• Air Regulations: National ambient air quality standards for ozone and particulate matter should be based on sound science to balance environmental and public health needs with economic realities.
• Transportation Policies: Congress must increase truck weight limits to improve highway efficiency and allow for greater rail capacity by eliminating monopolies and investing in infrastructure.
• Paper Options: Government must continue to provide paper-based options for critical services in order to serve the millions of Americans who either choose to forego or lack access to electronic communication.
• Trade: Congress should pass Trade Promotion Authority legislation to pave the way for increased export opportunities for U.S. paper and wood products manufacturers and their customers, many of whom use paper-based packaging in their exports.
• Tax Reform: Congress must reform the tax code to improve U.S. manufacturers’ competitiveness.

“These priorities align with the issues affecting our members’ ability to operate in a highly-competitive global economy, both domestically and abroad,” said AF&PA President and CEO Donna Harman. “In the coming weeks, we’ll be connecting with veteran legislators and new members alike to ensure that they understand the implications of these policies for our industry and the 900,000 constituents we employ.”

In addition to federal policy issues, AF&PA is working in several states around the country to address paper and paper-based packaging fees and bans, as well as ensuring that biomass is recognized in state renewable portfolio standards as carbon neutral to align with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the international community at large.