Air

AF&PA Welcomes SCOTUS Ruling on Good Neighbor Ruling and Chevron Deference

CCozort — Fri, 28 Jun 2024 19:18:46 +0000

AF&PA Welcomes SCOTUS Ruling on Good Neighbor Ruling and Chevron Deference

CCozort Fri, 06/28/2024 - 15:18

WASHINGTON – The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock issued the following statement on the Supreme Court’s recent decisions to stay the Environmental Protection Agency’s “Good Neighbor” plan and overturn the longstanding Chevron precedent:

“The U.S. Supreme Court rulings are significant for the U.S. pulp and paper industry. Without the stay, AF&PA members would have faced hundreds of millions in unrecoverable costs to comply with the Good Neighbor Plan while the litigation continues.

"This rule was based on controls that were neither proven nor cost-effective, and the Supreme Court ruling affirms that position.

"Furthermore, we appreciate the Supreme Court’s decision overruling Chevron as contrary to the U.S. Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act, as explained in our amicus brief with the American Farm Bureau Federation and others.

“We hope that this focus on courts’ constitutional role to interpret the law, while respecting agency expertise, will lay the foundation for sustainable regulation that withstands the test of time."

What is the Environmental Impact of the Paper Industry?

SManger — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 13:50:44 +0000

What is the Environmental Impact of the Paper Industry?

SManger Mon, 06/03/2024 - 09:50

Paper products and packaging are part of our daily lives. From tissues and paper towels to the absorbent pulp in diapers to cardboard boxes to boxes that package medicine and food.

Paper production requires resources like wood, recycled paper, water and energy. Here in the U.S., the paper industry is working hard to find ways to make production and our products more sustainable.

We answered some common questions about the U.S. paper industry and its environmental impact. Dive in to explore how our industry is committed to sustainable manufacturing practices.

Does the U.S. Paper Industry Contribute to Deforestation?

1 Billion +

trees are planted each year

No. The U.S. pulp and paper industry is not linked to global deforestation and forest degradation.

U.S. forests are strong and stable. More than 1 billion trees are replanted in the U.S. each year.

The U.S. paper industry is a responsible steward of our planet’s resources. We have a long history of sustainable forest management and innovation.

Our industry uses trees from working forests. These forests are continuously replanted, ensuring a healthy balance for the future.

Background color

Spruce 88

Card Style

Round

Image Placement

left

Explore How Working Forests Store Carbon

Learn More About Working Forests

How Does the U.S. Paper Industry Source its Wood Responsibly?

The industry prioritizes responsible wood sourcing. We do this in a few ways. Here's how:

Sustainable Fiber Procurement: AF&PA members adhere to sustainable fiber procurement principles as a condition of membership. Procurement is how our members get the wood they need to make the products we rely on.

These principles assure the suppliers our members source wood from are committed to sustainable forest management and harvesting practices.

Sustainable Forest Management Best Practices: We commit to sustainable forest management practices including:

Forest certification programs to provide standards, guidelines, and structure for sustainable forest management.
Fiber sourcing programs that are third-party verified and are recognized globally.

Complying with the Lacey Act: The Lacey Act combats illegal logging worldwide. It bans the import of wood, pulp and paper products that are sourced from illegally harvested forests. U.S. paper companies have to follow it.

Explore Our 2020 Forestry Goal Achievements

Check Out an Award-Winning Member Project

How Much Water is Used, and What Happens to it After Papermaking?

10x

The amount of times water can be reused

Water is an essential part of the pulp and papermaking process. The U.S. paper industry is committed to sustainable water management. Our members are continuously innovating to reduce and reuse water.

Most of the water gets returned to the environment, often cleaner than before! Water can be reused 10 times throughout the manufacturing process, saving tons of fresh water.

Background color

Metallic Blue

Card Style

Round

Image Placement

right

Explore our Water Management 2030 Sustainability Goal

Dive into Green Bay Packaging’s Net-Zero Water Project

Is the Paper Industry a Responsible and Sustainable Manufacturer?

24% +

reduction in GHG emissions since 2005

Yes! The U.S. paper industry is a crucial part of the climate solution.

We took early, voluntary action to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Since 2005, AF&PA members have reduced GHG emissions by more than 24%. And they’ve committed to reducing GHG emissions by 50% by 2030!

We’ve also improved our energy efficiency by more than 13% since 2005. This is largely due to the increased use of renewable energy like biomass.

As part of our 2030 sustainability goals, we’re advancing a circular value chain through the production of renewable and recyclable products.

That includes increasing the percentage of our products that are recyclable or compostable. We’re also increasing the use of secondary materials like recycled paper and wood leftovers.

Background color

Spruce 88

Card Style

Round

Image Placement

left

Get a Closer Look at How Our Industry Achieves Sustainability

Get the Facts About Energy Use in the Paper Industry

Where Can I Learn More About the U.S. Paper Industry's Sustainability Efforts?

Learn more about our Better Practices, Better Planet 2030 sustainability initiative and our previous accomplishments.

Our industry takes the environmental impact of paper production seriously. Our members are leading the way towards a more sustainable future for paper through our commitment to responsible forestry, water management and reducing GHG emissions.

^{Photo credit: Domtar}

Forest Products Industry Testifies in Support of Legislative Action to Improve Air Quality Standards

SManger — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 19:09:37 +0000

Forest Products Industry Testifies in Support of Legislative Action to Improve Air Quality Standards

SManger Thu, 02/15/2024 - 14:09

WASHINGTON – On behalf of the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) and American Wood Council (AWC), public policy expert Paul Noe testified today before the House Energy and Commerce Committee examining the need for legislative action to modernize U.S. air quality programs. AF&PA President & CEO Heidi Brock and AWC President & CEO Jackson Morrill issued the following joint statement after today’s Congressional hearing:

“The evolving and uncertain regulatory burden is at odds with the goal of modernizing and growing U.S. manufacturing. We support the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s work to develop legislation that would greatly improve the NAAQS program and permitting process.

"The forest products industry has a long track record of investing in the modernization of our mills to further reduce emissions and support sustainable manufacturing operations. Recent rulemakings risk stopping these projects in their tracks, like the recent particulate matter standard.

“Furthermore, communities will not truly benefit until the 84% of particulate matter emissions that come from other sources – such as wildfires and road dust – are addressed.

“Unfortunately, this is only the tip of the regulatory iceberg. If we don’t change our trajectory, we will see a net loss for our mills, our employees and the environment. It is imperative the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the White House and Congress strike a balance that achieves sustainable regulations while supporting American manufacturing.”

AF&PA and AWC Respond to EPA’s PM NAAQS Rule

TEbner — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 12:58:08 +0000

AF&PA and AWC Respond to EPA’s PM NAAQS Rule

TEbner Wed, 02/07/2024 - 07:58

WASHINGTON – The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock and American Wood Council (AWC) President and CEO Jackson Morrill responded to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement of an updated National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM2.5), which lowers the standard to 9 µg/m3.

“EPA’s rule delivers a devastating blow to U.S. manufacturing and the economy while doing nothing to address the largest sources of particulate matter, including wildfire smoke. This unworkable air rule undermines President Biden's promise to grow and reshore manufacturing jobs.

"We are very concerned that many of the modernization projects in the paper and wood products industry and across U.S. manufacturing will no longer be able to move forward.

"The new rule defies common sense. This Administration has set the PM2.5 NAAQS at near background levels, ensuring permit gridlock for most manufacturing sectors around the country, while failing to address 84% of overall PM2.5 emissions.

"Essential projects that would reduce greenhouse gas and other emissions, create high-paying jobs and allow us to compete in the global economy are now severely at risk. Our industry has demonstrated a continued commitment to be a good steward and community partner. We need sustainable regulation to make environmental progress and keep vital manufacturing jobs in America.

“AF&PA and AWC joined leaders from over 70 other U.S. manufacturing and trade groups urging the Administration to maintain the existing standard. We also delivered a joint CEO letter to White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients signed by 44 of our members from the paper and wood products industry. These letters reflect the importance of this issue not only for our industry but for the economic prosperity of America.

"The EPA must immediately reconsider the PM NAAQS and set a 3-year effective date. We want to work with the Biden Administration on a practical implementation plan that avoids some of the worst impacts of this unsustainable rule."

Industry CEOs Warn of Dire Economic Consequences from Proposed NAAQS Standards

TEbner — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 15:18:48 +0000

Industry CEOs Warn of Dire Economic Consequences from Proposed NAAQS Standards

TEbner Wed, 11/01/2023 - 11:18

WASHINGTON – The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock today joined leaders of over 70 other trade groups representing diverse businesses across the economy in urging the Biden administration to maintain the existing National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for fine particulate matter (PM2.5). In a letter to White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients, the organizations warned that moving forward with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed revisions would jeopardize American jobs and risk substantial economic harm.

The proposed revisions to the standard “would risk jobs and livelihoods by making it even more difficult to obtain permits for new factories, facilities, and infrastructure to power economic growth,” the groups wrote. “This proposal would also threaten successful implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the important clean energy provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act. Our members have innovated and worked with regulators to significantly lower PM2.5 emissions and further progress is being made as part of the energy transition investments.”

The letter emphasized the effectiveness of the current standards which have led to a 42 percent decline in PM2.5 concentrations since 2000, according to government data. In fact, the EPA reaffirmed only two years ago that the current standards are protective of public health and the environment. Now, without significant new health information, the agency is proposing revisions that will have dramatic effects on the U.S. economy.

A recent Oxford Economic analysis commissioned by the National Association of Manufacturers found that the proposed standard would reduce U.S. GDP by nearly $200 billion and cost as many as one million American jobs through 2031.

“Lowering the current standard so dramatically would create a perverse disincentive for American investment,” the letter reads. “EPA’s proposal could force investment in new facilities to foreign countries with less stringent air standards, thereby undermining the Administration’s economic and environmental goals. We urge you to ensure EPA maintains the existing fine particulate matter standards to ensure both continued environmental protection and economic growth.”

Read the Full Letter

Why EPA Should Not Finalize the Particulate Matter NAAQS Standard

SManger — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 13:16:41 +0000

Why EPA Should Not Finalize the Particulate Matter NAAQS Standard

SManger Fri, 10/27/2023 - 09:16

The Need for Sustainable and Achievable Regulations

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) helps set national standards and guidelines to protect the environment. All Americans benefit when the EPA develops achievable rules and regulations.

We have a shared goal of sustainable regulation. In fact, we have a long track record of success working with the EPA to create achievable rules.

EPA is proposing an update to their National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for fine particulate matter, PM2.5. However, their proposal threatens manufacturing industries. Let’s explore why.

What is Fine Particulate Matter?

Fine particulate matter is made up of a mixture of tiny particles in the air. It includes things like dust, smoke, dirt, soot and exhaust fumes.

Fine particulate matter comes from many different sources like:

Wildfires
Road dust
Vehicle exhaust
Industrial facilities

Are Levels of Fine Particulate Matter Increasing or Decreasing?

The U.S. enjoys some of the cleanest air in the world today. Ambient air levels of PM 2.5 have been trending downward over the past 20 years.

Levels will continue declining due to other requirements that already exist.

What is the PM2.5 NAAQS Proposed Rule?

The proposed rule for PM2.5 NAAQS will further tighten the air quality standard for fine particulate matter.

The current standard for PM2.5 NAAQS is 12 ug/m3. This leaves room for economic growth and development, including modernization projects at our mills.

The proposed rule could tighten the standard close to average ambient air background levels, which are around 8 ug/m3. Background levels mean the average air quality from both natural and manmade sources.

How Do Modernization Projects Get Permits?

The purpose of a permit is to make sure a new manufacturing modernization project doesn’t exceed the standard. A project receives a permit when there is sufficient “headroom” to allow the project.

Headroom is the difference between the standard and the background level that’s already in the air, including from natural sources like wildfires and road dust.

Under the current PM NAAQS standard, the typical headroom available for a new project is about 3 to 6 micrograms (ug). An average project adds around 3 ug. If you subtract the standard, 12 ug, from the current background levels, 8 ug, that gives you 4 ug.

A modernization project of 3 ug could proceed because it’s less than 4 ug. If it’s more than 4 ug, the project doesn’t receive a permit.

How Does the Proposed PM2.5 Rule Affect the Paper Industry?

The maps show how lowering the standard shrinks the attainment areas. An attainment area is a location that meets the national air quality standard. Green shows what is in attainment and has sufficient headroom for a permit to allow mill modernization projects.

Red shows nonattainment areas, or locations that don’t meet the standard. Finally, pink shows other cleaner areas that are in attainment, but lack permit headroom for modernization projects to proceed.

Many of our paper mills are located in cleaner, attainment areas under the current standard. This allows modernization projects to receive a permit.

Any lowering of the standard will result in more non-attainment areas in the U.S. This would threaten many manufacturing industries, including the paper industry.

What’s concerning for paper mills is that many would now be in the pink area and would often not be able to get permits. Lowering the standard would threaten or prevent modernization projects and other major improvements to paper mills.

As our industry modernizes paper mills, we’re improving air quality.

Modernization projects help provide lower emissions per ton of production. That includes reductions in particulate matter, greenhouse gases, and other emissions.

This standard would also undermine the Biden Administration’s promise to grow and reshore U.S. manufacturing jobs. We need to be able to modernize our facilities so we can keep high-paying manufacturing jobs in the U.S.

What has the Paper Industry Done to Decrease Emissions?

Our industry is a leader in sustainability, and we are rooted in sustainable practices. Paper manufacturers work hard to be a good neighbor and environmental steward in communities across our nation.

Our facilities have made substantial progress in reducing our emissions. The paper industry has state-of-the-art air pollution controls on their facilities.

We are less than 1% of the overall PM2.5 emissions. We have decreased our nitrogen oxide emissions by about 50% and our sulfur dioxide emissions by more than 80% since 2000.

Some of the larger sources of particulate matter in the air are wildfires, dust and exhaust. The PM NAAQS rule does not address these larger sources.

Particulate matter emissions from industrial facilities will continue to go down in the years ahead under current air quality programs.

See our progress in reducing GHG emissions

What Are the Largest Sources of Fine Particulate Matter?

Fine particulate matter comes from many different sources. Some of the larger sources include:

Wildfires
Dust
Exhaust fumes

Currently, the proposed PM2.5 rule does not account for these sources of particulate matter. And these sources of fine particulate matter directly impact public health.

Stationary sources included in the PM2.5 rule, which includes industrial facilities like paper mills, account for less than 20% of overall particulate matter emissions.

Those emissions will continue to go down under current air quality programs.

Wildfire smoke is one of the leading causes of particulate matter in the air.

Lowering the standard could prevent foresters and landowners from being able to use prescribed fires to prevent wildfires.

One of the best ways to manage and prevent wildfires is prescribed fires. They are planned fires that help meet sustainable forest management goals.

If larger sources of particulate matter are not addressed, then air quality will still be affected.

What Would Help the Paper Industry Meet the PM2.5 NAAQS Standard?

We sent a letter to the White House outlining our concerns with the proposed PM NAAQS standard. Additionally, along with 70 other manufacturing organizations, we warned of the economic consequences the proposed standard would cause.

The EPA needs to develop an implementation plan before finalizing this rule so our industry has a clear path to achieve it.

Currently, the proposed rule uses unrealistic modeling to determine what ambient air quality levels are. A plan based on sound science needs to rely on realistic modeling that accurately reflects real-world conditions.

And, by allowing modernization projects to proceed, we can continue to work to decrease our emissions.

We welcome the opportunity to work together on an efficient implementation plan.

Explore How the Paper Industry is Embracing Sustainability

See How We're a Leader in Sustainable Practices

Explore our 2030 Sustainability Goals

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Paper Manufacturing

Is the Paper Industry Sustainable?

2030 Goal Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

superuser — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 19:53:16 +0000

2030 Goal Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

superuser Wed, 08/04/2021 - 15:53

A Better Practices, Better Planet 2030 goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Our goal to reduce GHG emissions will double the significant progress AF&PA members have made to date.

DOWNLOAD

Better Practices, Better Planet 2030 Goals Print Brochure

superuser — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 01:35:23 +0000

Better Practices, Better Planet 2030 Goals Print Brochure

Our ambitious new set of goals, Better Practices, Better Planet 2030, will further advance the role our industry plays in the circular economy and build on our achievements to improve our planet, our people and our communities.

superuser Tue, 08/03/2021 - 21:35

Download the Brochure

AF&PA 2020 Sustainability Report

superuser — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 23:07:58 +0000

AF&PA 2020 Sustainability Report

AF&PA members have met or exceeded many of the sustainability goals we set in 2011. See our progress in the latest Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 Sustainability Report.

superuser Tue, 08/03/2021 - 19:07

See the Report

Modernize Air Permitting To Enable Manufacturing

superuser — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 18:10:46 +0000

Modernize Air Permitting To Enable Manufacturing

This chart helps identify ways EPA could make improvements to the air permitting process and implementation tools.

superuser Mon, 08/02/2021 - 14:10