EPA Announcement Good News for Michigan Paper, Forest Products Industries

Press Release

Michigan paper and forest product companies investing in biomass energy received good news from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow announced today. The EPA has excluded biomass emissions from greenhouse gas regulations for three years pending further scientific review. Senator Stabenow led the effort to exclude biomass from these regulations, which would have threatened biomass energy investments and clean-energy job growth in Michigan.

"Investing in domestic, clean-energy sources such as biomass is critical to creating Michigan jobs," said Senator Debbie Stabenow. "The EPA's decision to exclude our biomass industry from harmful regulations is welcome news."

"We applaud today's EPA biomass decision and appreciate Senator Stabenow focus on sound science and policy," said Kevin Korpi, Executive Director, Michigan Forest Products Council. "The EPA decision is a good first step toward more thought work on carbon neutrality."

Michigan forests support 150,000 jobs and add nearly $12 billion to our state's economy. As Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Senator Stabenow will continue to promote Michigan's biomass industry in the upcoming Farm Bill.

Source