American Forest & Paper Association Board Sets 2014 Key Federal Policy Initiatives

Federal advocacy continues in six high-priority areas

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Forest & Paper Association's (AF&PA) board of directors formally established the association's key federal policy initiatives for 2014 at its recent meeting in Washington. 

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"AF&PA members drive our association's priority setting, because they know first-hand the challenges our industry is facing and what issues have the greatest potential to affect their ability to operate," said AF&PA President and CEO Donna Harman. "By setting these priorities, we're able to focus our efforts and ensure policymakers and regulators hear our members' most pressing concerns."

AF&PA's 2014 key federal policy initiatives include:

• working with key stakeholders and  the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and to support recognition of the carbon neutrality of biomass in greenhouse gas regulations, including in prevention of significant deterioration rules and new source performance standards;
• working with lawmakers, EPA, and other stakeholders to support development of practical and sustainable air regulations, including ozone national ambient air quality standards, boiler maximum achievable control technology and non-hazardous secondary materials rules;
• supporting energy policies that take into consideration the carbon-reduction benefits provided by the industry's use of biomass in energy production as well as cost and supply implications for the paper and wood products industry;
• supporting Congress' work to create better and more efficient rail and truck transportation options for the industry through the Federal Highway Reauthorization Bill or other related legislation;
• working with legislators, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and others to ensure industry concerns are addressed in a variety of forestry and agriculture programs, including advocating for adequate funding of the Forest Inventory Analysis program and for inclusion of forest products in the USDA's BioPreferred program; and
• ensuring that any tax changes improve economic growth, job opportunities, and the competitiveness of U.S.-based businesses.

For more information about AF&PA and the issues it is addressing in 2014, visit www.afandpa.org.

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance a sustainable U.S. pulp, paper, packaging, and wood products manufacturing industry through fact-based public policy and marketplace advocacy.  AF&PA member companies make products essential for everyday life from renewable and recyclable resources and are committed to continuous improvement through the industry's sustainability initiative - Better Practices, Better Planet 2020.  The forest products industry accounts for approximately 4.5 percent of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufactures approximately $200 billion in products annually, and employs nearly 900,000 men and women.  The industry meets a payroll of approximately $50 billion annually and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 47 states. Visit AF&PA online at www.afandpa.org or follow us on Twitter @ForestandPaper.

SOURCE American Forest & Paper Association