RFS Proposals That Incentivize Whole Trees for Energy Threaten U.S. Pulp and Paper Mill Jobs

"U.S. pulp, paper, packaging and tissue manufacturers rely on an affordable and accessible fiber supply to make products that Americans use. Forest products manufacturing supports far more jobs than stand-alone biomass energy - five times as many core mill jobs and nine times as many total jobs across the supply chain. The industry also produces and uses bioenergy by relying on residuals from manufacturing.

"Renewable fuel incentives should not sacrifice U.S. mill jobs by incentivizing wood fiber away from the manufacturing sector. Expanding RFS incentives to whole trees or pulpwood would distort the market for fiber and undermine mill competitiveness.

"AF&PA will oppose any Farm Bill that includes this RFS biomass provision, and we urge Members to reject it."