More than one-quarter of Congress signs to co-sponsor Boiler MACT legislation; AF&PA in support, says new legislation will help protect environment, jobs

Kendall Sinclair

WASHINGTON , September 22, 2011 (press release) – In the weeks since being introduced, more than one-quarter of Congress has signed on to co-sponsor Boiler MACT legislation critical to protecting manufacturing jobs in this country.

“We commend the leadership shown by each of the co-sponsors to date in stepping forward to support manufacturing jobs in America,” said American Forest & Paper Association President and CEO Donna Harman. “The Boiler MACT regulations threaten tens of thousands of jobs at a time when our country simply cannot afford another economic blow.”

Introduced on June 22, H.R. 2250 has garnered the support of 124 members of Congress. Led by Reps. Morgan Griffith (R-VA) and G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), H.R. 2250 continues to gain support from members on both sides of the aisle, which began with lead co-sponsors Reps. John Barrow (D-GA), Jim Matheson (D-UT), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Pete Olson (R-TX), Mike Ross (D-AR), and Steve Scalise (R-LA).

S. 1392 was introduced on July 20 by Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) and has already gained the support of nearly one-third of the Senate. The Senate bill has also been driven through bi-partisan leadership, including its original co-sponsors Senators Lamar Alexander (TN), Mary Landrieu (LA), Mark Pryor (AR), and Patrick Toomey (PA).

“The time, direction, and certainty provided by H.R. 2250 and S. 1392 will allow EPA to rewrite the Boiler MACT rules in a way that protects the environment and American jobs,” said Harman. “On behalf of the nearly 900,000 men and women who work in the forest products industry, we applaud those elected representatives who have signed on to support these bills and urge Congress to pass this vital legislation to protect America’s manufacturing jobs, competitiveness and public health.”

EPA issued the current Boiler MACT rules in February, which set emission limits for boilers used in manufacturing facilities, municipal power plants, hospitals, and others. The final Boiler MACT rules are estimated to cost the manufacturing sector over $14 billion in capital expenditures alone; for the forest products industry, capital costs have been estimated at $5-$7 billion. EPA announced a stay of the Boiler MACT regulations while changes are being considered, which is being challenged in the courts.


The American Forest & Paper Association is the national trade association of the forest products industry, representing pulp, paper, packaging and wood products manufacturers, and forest landowners. Our companies make products essential for everyday life from renewable and recyclable resources that sustain the environment. The forest products industry accounts for approximately 5 percent of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP. Industry companies produce about $175 billion in products annually and employ nearly 900,000 men and women, exceeding employment levels in the automotive, chemicals and plastics industries. 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.

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