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PPRC Position Paper on Energy
Current energy problems are complex requiring immediate attention to avert the loss of thousands more U.S. manufacturing jobs and to secure a commitment to improve the global environment.

The PPRC recommends that Congress develop a national strategy that includes:

  • Due to climate change concerns, we must make the best use of our sustainable resources to find long term solutions. Wood, the paper industry's main raw material, is biomass; we can optimize its use in the production process while generating renewable energy.

  • The use of biomass, natural gas, fossil fuels and electricity for energy is necessary for our industry. The PPRC is seeking common sense solutions to the rapidly escalating costs.

  • The uncertainty of energy supplies and prices makes it impossible for our industry to efficiently forecast operating costs or make credible plans for future capital expenditures.

  • The PPRC supports increased environmentally responsible exploration and production of new sources of fuels within the United States in order to sustain the industry, lower energy costs and relieve American reliance on imported fuel supplies. This would include the increased access to oil and gas reserves within the United States and the development of and expedited permitting for liquefied natural gas facilities.

  • The PPRC supports construction of on-site energy generating facilities that are environmentally preferred and seeks the streamlining of the permitting processes for this construction.

  • Specifically, the PPRC seeks common sense regulations based on incentives rather than penalty avoidance.

  • There are few incentives for industry to install new energy-efficient equipment until they face penalties.

  • The PPRC asks that Congress support the simplification of environmental regulations which adversely affect energy costs by restricting the removal of wood, mining of coal and the drilling for fossil fuels.

  • The Forest Products Industry generates on-site power fueled by biomass, thereby using renewable natural resources, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

  • Biomass fuels should include bark, scrap wood, wood residuals and wood extractives from the pulping process instead of some of this waste being diverted to landfills.

  • Biomass fuels burn carbon neutral and should be listed as "environmentally preferred" and accorded incentives to promote wider use (e.g., tax incentives, research and development funding and expedited permitting processes).

  • We can have a healthy, vibrant environment while maintaining our industrial base through modern technologies and good stewardship of the land.

  • It is necessary to maintain a manufacturing base in this country in order to sustain a thriving economy, and energy plays one of the most vital roles in this equation.
    • The PPRC is a grassroots organization representing the interests of the nation's pulp, paper, solid wood products, and other natural resource-based workers. The U.S. forest products industry is vitally important to our nation's economy, employing 1.5 million people. We rank among the top 10 manufacturers in 46 states with annual sales exceeding $230 billion, which accounts for 7 % of the U.S. manufacturing shipments. We are people dedicated to conserving the environment while taking into account the economic stability of the workforce and surrounding community.

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    Rev. 02-02-08