AWC applauds carbon neutrality of biomass in Omnibus Package

WASHINGTON – American Wood Council (AWC) President and CEO Robert Glowinski issued the following statement in support the fiscal 2017 omnibus package passing both houses of Congress. The package included language requiring the federal government to treat emissions from forest biomass as carbon neutral.

“AWC is encouraged that Congress has given much needed clarity by recognizing our industry’s unique biomass use as carbon neutral and as part of the sustainable carbon cycle. The wood products industry strives to be as energy efficient as possible and is one of the leaders nationwide in the use of carbon-neutral biomass energy. On average, over 75 percent of the energy at our member companies’ wood products facilities is generated from biomass, which displaces the need for fossil fuels and helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels. We look forward to working with the Administration and agencies to develop the rules that will implement this language.

“We thank Senators Collins and Murkowski and Congressmen Simpson and Calvert for their leadership on this issue.”