Transportation

AF&PA Supports Federal Legislation to Strengthen U.S. Transportation

CCozort — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 21:37:18 +0000

AF&PA Supports Federal Legislation to Strengthen U.S. Transportation

CCozort Wed, 01/25/2023 - 16:37

Bipartisan SHIP IT Act introduced by Congressmen Dusty Johnson (R-SD-AL) and Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA-21st) boosts supply chains in the United States

CONTACT: Tim Ebner / Clara Cozort
(202) 463-2587, comm@afandpa.org

WASHINGTON – The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock issued the following statement in response to The Safer Highways and Increased Performance for Interstate Trucking (SHIP IT) Act introduced on Tuesday.

“AF&PA is proud to support the Safer Highways and Increased Performance for Interstate Trucking (SHIP IT) Act to help alleviate supply chain constraints experienced across industries resulting from challenges related to the ongoing rail labor uncertainties.

“AF&PA has long advocated for many of the key provisions in this bipartisan bill. We thank Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD-AL) and Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA-21st) for their continued support, leadership and commitment to crafting a multifaceted approach to build stronger supply chains in the United States.

“This legislation will provide more flexibility and reliability to the forest products industry for receiving products integral to the papermaking process. Reliable transportation helps deliver our essential products to their final destination faster and more efficiently. We look forward to working with our partners in the Shippers Coalition and on Capitol Hill to move the SHIP IT Act forward in the 118th U.S. Congress.”

Press Release

Transportation

AF&PA Responds to House Passage of the Build Back Better Framework

TEbner — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 14:52:50 +0000

AF&PA Responds to House Passage of the Build Back Better Framework

TEbner Fri, 11/19/2021 - 09:52

WASHINGTON – The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock issued the following statement in response to the U.S. House of Representatives' passage of the Build Back Better Act framework.

“AF&PA cannot support the corporate tax increases put forth in the Build Back Better Act. These tax increases would significantly impact U.S. manufacturing jobs and undermine our nation’s economic recovery. We urge policymakers to recognize that our country is struggling under the worst inflation seen in three decades.

“Such short-sighted policies will have longer-term effects on U.S. manufacturing jobs, which includes the more than 950,000 hard-working people in the forest products industry. AF&PA calls on the U.S. Senate to vote ‘no’ on this legislation.”

Press Release

Transportation

Business Impact

AF&PA Commends President Biden on Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

TEbner — Mon, 15 Nov 2021 14:31:19 +0000

AF&PA Commends President Biden on Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

TEbner Mon, 11/15/2021 - 09:31

CONTACT: Tim Ebner
(202) 463-2587, comm@afandpa.org

WASHINGTON – The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock issued the following statement in response to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed into law today.

“AF&PA commends President Joe Biden and the U.S. Congress for work on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This historic effort will modernize our nation’s infrastructure, invest in U.S. manufacturing jobs and build a more sustainable future for Americans.

“Our industry is a committed partner in this effort. The paper and wood products industry has been and continues to be a leader in sustainability in the manufacturing sector. “Our progress is notable, and our sustainability achievements continue in the decade ahead with Better Practices, Better Planet 2030: Sustainable Products for a Sustainable Future. We look forward to working with the Administration as we strengthen manufacturing, supply chains and contributions to the broader circular economy.”

We applaud the legislation which addresses a number of key infrastructure priorities for AF&PA including:

Transportation: Reforms that emphasize safety, efficiency and workforce development.
Energy Infrastructure: Investment in clean energy transmission to connect renewable energy resources to consumers and improve grid resilience and reliability.
Waste Management/Recycling Infrastructure: The RECYCLE Act, which authorizes a new grant program at the Environmental Protection Agency, providing recycling education to consumers.

AF&PA Opposes Corporate Tax Increases in Build Back Better Framework

TEbner — Fri, 05 Nov 2021 19:30:27 +0000

AF&PA Opposes Corporate Tax Increases in Build Back Better Framework

TEbner Fri, 11/05/2021 - 15:30

WASHINGTON – The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock issued the following statement in response to the U.S. House of Representative’s Build Back Better Act framework.

“AF&PA opposes the corporate tax increases included in the Build Back Better Act. These tax increases would adversely impact U.S. manufacturing, reduce U.S. global competitiveness and put essential jobs at risk during a critical time of economic recovery. We urge Congress to consider the long-term impact these short-sighted policies will have on manufacturing workers across the country, and vote ‘no’ on this legislation.”

Press Release

Business Impact

Transportation

AF&PA Applauds the Senate for Passing Bipartisan Infrastructure Package

TEbner — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 15:45:43 +0000

AF&PA Applauds the Senate for Passing Bipartisan Infrastructure Package

TEbner Tue, 08/10/2021 - 11:45

CONTACT: Tim Ebner

(202) 463-2587, comm@afandpa.org

WASHINGTON — The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock issued the following statement in response to Senate passage of the bipartisan infrastructure package.

“The paper and wood products industry values bipartisan leadership and we commend this historic agreement. The bipartisan infrastructure package seeks to build a more sustainable future by modernizing our nation’s infrastructure and investing in U.S. manufacturing jobs.

“ Sustainable practices are the foundation of our industry. AF&PA members and their employees — the approximately 950,000 individuals who make up the forest products industry — create innovative and essential products made from renewable and recyclable resources.

“Senate passage of this landmark agreement is an important step for our industry and our nation. But there is still work to do. House leaders must move the bipartisan infrastructure package over the finish line, and quickly. We need this legislation passed to strengthen American jobs and manufacturing, supply chains, as well as the broader circular economy.”

We applaud the legislation which addresses a number of key infrastructure priorities for AF&PA including:

Transportation: Reforms that emphasize safety, efficiency and workforce development.
Energy Infrastructure: Investment in clean energy transmission to connect renewable energy resources to consumers and improve grid resilience and reliability.
Waste Management/Recycling Infrastructure: The RECYCLE Act, which authorizes a new grant program at the Environmental Protection Agency, providing recycling education to consumers.

AF&PA Calls for Infrastructure Investments in Support of U.S. Manufacturing Jobs

superuser — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 16:05:11 +0000

AF&PA Calls for Infrastructure Investments in Support of U.S. Manufacturing Jobs

superuser Thu, 04/01/2021 - 12:05

CONTACT: Tim Ebner

(202) 463-2436, comm@afandpa.org

WASHINGTON — The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock released the following statement on President Joe Biden’s infrastructure plan.

“AF&PA looks forward to working with the Administration and Congress on important infrastructure investment proposals, many of which are included in President Biden’s American Jobs Plan. Modernizing our nation’s infrastructure and investing in manufacturing jobs will be welcome improvements for the U.S. forest products industry, which employs approximately 950,000 individuals and manufactures nearly $300 billion in products annually.

“However, AF&PA cannot support the tax increases put forth in the Made in America Tax Plan. These increases would adversely impact U.S. manufacturing and put jobs at risk during a fragile economic recovery. This aspect of the proposal would significantly upset global competitiveness while undermining the promises of the American Jobs Plan."

AF&PA Welcomes Surface Transportation Board Appointments

superuser — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 04:21:29 +0000

AF&PA Welcomes Surface Transportation Board Appointments

superuser Thu, 11/19/2020 - 23:21

CONTACT: Tim Ebner

(202) 463-2587, comm@afandpa.org

WASHINGTON – The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock issued the following statement thanking the U.S. Senate for confirming Michelle Schultz and Robert Primus to serve on the Surface Transportation Board:

“The U.S. Senate confirmation of Michelle Schultz and Robert Primus to the Surface Transportation Board now brings the board to its full complement. We recommend the board advance long-overdue freight rail policy reforms. The paper and wood products industry is eager to work with the board to revoke the outdated commodity exemption policy and ensure our companies have an avenue to address harmful service and pricing issues. Such reforms support our industry’s ability to move millions of tons of materials to production mills and final markets.”

Press Release

Transportation

Biomass, Recycling, Regulatory Reform, Transportation Infrastructure Top AF&PA 2020 Advocacy Priorities

superuser — Fri, 14 Feb 2020 16:32:41 +0000

Biomass, Recycling, Regulatory Reform, Transportation Infrastructure Top AF&PA 2020 Advocacy Priorities

superuser Fri, 02/14/2020 - 11:32

CONTACT: Lindsay Murphy
(202) 463-2436, comm@afandpa.org

WASHINGTON – The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) Board of Directors today announced advocacy priorities the association will pursue to ensure the pulp, paper, packaging, tissue and wood products industry’s continued growth and ability to create American manufacturing jobs.

“President Trump and the U.S. Congress recently made great strides in finalizing the U.S. – Mexico – Canada (USMCA) trade agreement, and we are grateful for this commitment to ensuring free and fair cross-border trade,” said AF&PA President and CEO Heidi Brock. “Paper and paper-based packaging are the most-recycled materials by weight from municipal waste streams in the United States, and AF&PA will support policies that allow this environmental success story to continue. Policy conversations related to biomass, paper recycling, regulatory reform and transportation infrastructure should strengthen our industry’s ability to provide consumers with recyclable, renewable and sustainable paper products.”

Mark Sutton, International Paper CEO and AF&PA Board Chair, continued, “The paper industry has some of the most comprehensive set of quantifiable sustainability goals of any U.S. manufacturing industry in Better Practices, Better Planet 2020. It is imperative the U.S. Congress, state legislatures and other stakeholders recognize the industry as a top 10 manufacturing employer in 45 states across the country, with an impressive track record of leadership in environmental and forest stewardship. As challenges related to waste continue to be discussed nationwide, we ask that elected officials recognize paper is part of the circular solution.”

AF&PA’s 2020 advocacy priorities are:

Carbon Neutrality of Biomass: Paper and wood products manufacturers use as much of the tree as possible to make paper, packaging and wood products, while remaining residuals are used as a renewable energy source (biomass) to power mills. The carbon neutrality of biomass harvested from sustainably-managed forests has been repeatedly recognized by studies, agencies, institutions, legislation and rules around the world. AF&PA has for many years advocated for science-based policies that acknowledge the carbon neutrality of biomass and provide regulatory certainty to level the playing field for global competition and the protection of rural American jobs.

Continued Success for Paper Recycling at the State and Federal Level: Efforts to ban, tax or restrict access to paper products discourages the use of products that are recyclable, compostable, reusable and made from renewable and recycled material. AF&PA supports Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Debbie Stabenow’s (D-MI) RECYCLE Act, which recognizes that educating consumers on the right ways to recycle is one of the best ways we can increase the quantity and quality of paper in the recycling stream.

Regulatory Reform: U.S. paper and wood products manufacturers have spent billions of dollars on regulatory compliance and are estimated to spend billions in new capital expenditures over the next decade. Measures that streamline the permit process and reduce cost and uncertainty of regulations remain a top priority.

Transportation Infrastructure: Paper and wood products manufacturers face a nationwide shortage of transportation capacity, an aging infrastructure, and inefficient surface transportation policies. As a result, connecting our products, raw materials and consumers is difficult and costly. Specifically, AF&PA encourages necessary infrastructure enhancements, increasing truck weight limits on federal interstate highways and freight rail system reforms that prioritize shippers’ concerns.

In addition to these priorities, AF&PA remains engaged in important advocacy discussions related to international trade and climate policy.

AF&PA Advocates for Service, Rate and Process Reforms at Surface Transportation Board Hearing

superuser — Wed, 22 May 2019 14:02:13 +0000

AF&PA Advocates for Service, Rate and Process Reforms at Surface Transportation Board Hearing

superuser Wed, 05/22/2019 - 10:02

CONTACT: Lindsay Murphy/Barbara Riley
(202) 463-2436, comm@afandpa.org

WASHINGTON – American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Donna Harman urged the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to work toward service, rate and dispute improvements in a statement regarding the board’s May 22, 23 oversight hearing. AF&PA Director, Government and Industry Affairs Julie Landry’s submitted testimony for the official record for the Oversight Hearing on Demurrage and Accesorial Charges held at the International Trade Commission.

“When it comes to shipping forest and wood products across the nation’s rail system, our manufacturers deserve reliable service at a reasonable rate and a fair process to resolve supply chain disruptions and billing disputes. We thank the Surface Transportation Board for hearing our voice on issues that are so central to effectively moving raw materials to mills and finished products to markets. We look forward to working with the board to deliver service, rate and dispute improvements to support our industry’s ability to compete, grow the economy and create American manufacturing jobs.”

Press Release

Transportation

Recycling, Transportation Infrastructure, Trade, Tax, Regulatory Process Reform Top AF&PA 2019 Advocacy Priority List

superuser — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 20:51:33 +0000

Recycling, Transportation Infrastructure, Trade, Tax, Regulatory Process Reform Top AF&PA 2019 Advocacy Priority List

superuser Tue, 01/08/2019 - 15:51

CONTACT: Barbara Riley
(202) 463-2436, comm@afandpa.org

WASHINGTON – The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) announced that a more resilient paper recycling system, transportation infrastructure, international trade, tax policy, and regulatory reforms and process improvements top its 2019 advocacy priority list. The association will pursue these priorities as it supports the pulp, paper, packaging, tissue and wood products industry’s ability to grow and create American manufacturing jobs.

“Clear public policies that advance our industry’s ability to apply sustainable manufacturing practices to innovate, invest, compete and plan for the future top our 2019 advocacy priorities list,” said AF&PA President and CEO Donna Harman. “A market-based paper recycling system, improved transportation infrastructure, free and fair trade, a competitive tax system, and regulatory reforms and process improvements will go a long way toward helping our companies make the products that improve peoples’ everyday lives. By partnering with decision makers in Washington, D.C., state capitols and other stakeholders, we aim to move these measures forward and create new opportunity for economic growth and job creation in rural and urban communities across the nation.”

AF&PA’s top advocacy priorities for the coming year are:

A More Resilient U.S. Paper Recycling System: Paper, by weight, is the most-recycled material from municipal solid waste streams in the United States today, and our industry has met or exceeded a 63 percent recovery rate for paper and paper-based packaging for each of the last nine years. That success story stems from our industry’s voluntary investment to build a commercial paper recycling infrastructure as well as the commitment by millions of Americans who recycle at home, at work or at school every day. Policies that further a strong market for paper recycling and provide for the effective use of recovered materials to create jobs, reduce environmental impact and improve quality of life will have our support.

Transportation Infrastructure and Efficiency Improvements: Moving raw materials to mills and products to customers remains increasingly difficult and costly, hindering competition and preventing companies from contributing to economic growth. Safely increasing truck weight limits on federal interstate highways and freight rail system rate and service improvements are necessary steps to effectively address a nationwide shortage of transportation capacity and inefficiencies.

Free and Fair Trade: Free and fair trade policy must recognize our strong global position and is essential to our manufacturers’ ability to compete at home and around the globe. The recent signing of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement represents a positive step toward strengthening our industry’s products in the North American market. Our work will focus on ensuring the agreement preserves and improves market access and investor protections, such as investor-state dispute settlement procedures, which have long benefitted our industry and its workers.

Tax Policy: Our globally competitive tax code enables paper and wood products manufacturers to make investments that will support a robust future. We will defend the policy changes achieved in 2017 to ensure that our priorities are reflected in implementing regulations.

Regulatory and Process Reforms: Measures that streamline the permit process and reduce the cost and uncertainty of regulations, including implementation of federal biomass policy that appropriately reflects our industry’s use of carbon-neutral forest biomass for energy production, are long overdue. We will advocate for effective public policy that does more good than harm, stimulates innovation and sustainable development, encourages economic growth and job creation and builds public confidence in government.

AF&PA member companies continue to lead on sustainability performance. Our Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 initiative — one of the most extensive sets of sustainability goals for a U.S. manufacturing industry — remains a priority.