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U.S. paper producers file litigation over biomass energy

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) and the American Wood Council (AWC) have filed a joint petition for review of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s treatment of biomass energy in the agency’s Clean Power Plan.

Donna Harman, president and CEO, AF&PA, explains: “The Clean Power Plan does not put biomass on a level playing field with other renewable energy sources; this litigation will assure that EPA does not improperly constrain states’ ability to take advantage of the important role biomass energy can plan in addressing climate change.”

Harman notes that when managed properly, biomass-based energy provides carbon-reducing benefits to the atmosphere and should not be treated the same as energy from fossil fuels.

“Our facilities generate about two-thirds of the energy we use from biomass, primarily residuals that are left over from the manufacturing process, making ours among the most efficient industries in America,” she concluded.

Robert Glowinski, President and CEO, AWC, comments: “After reviewing EPA’s Clean Power Plan, it appears that the rule may place unnecessary and inappropriate restrictions on states’ use of biomass energy as part of their plans to reduce CO2 emissions from electric power generation. This litigation seeks to protect biomass energy use as a critical component of renewable power.”