August 10, 2021

AF&PA Applauds the Senate for Passing Bipartisan Infrastructure Package

CONTACT: Tim Ebner

WASHINGTON — The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock issued the following statement in response to Senate passage of the bipartisan infrastructure package.

“The paper and wood products industry values bipartisan leadership and we commend this historic agreement. The bipartisan infrastructure package seeks to build a more sustainable future by modernizing our nation’s infrastructure and investing in U.S. manufacturing jobs.

“ Sustainable practices are the foundation of our industry. AF&PA members and their employees — the approximately 950,000 individuals who make up the forest products industry — create innovative and essential products made from renewable and recyclable resources.

“Senate passage of this landmark agreement is an important step for our industry and our nation. But there is still work to do. House leaders must move the bipartisan infrastructure package over the finish line, and quickly. We need this legislation passed to strengthen American jobs and manufacturing, supply chains, as well as the broader circular economy.”

We applaud the legislation which addresses a number of key infrastructure priorities for AF&PA including:

Transportation: Reforms that emphasize safety, efficiency and workforce development.
Energy Infrastructure: Investment in clean energy transmission to connect renewable energy resources to consumers and improve grid resilience and reliability.
Waste Management/Recycling Infrastructure: The RECYCLE Act, which authorizes a new grant program at the Environmental Protection Agency, providing recycling education to consumers.

Business Impact

Transportation

Recycling

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance U.S. paper and wood products manufacturers through fact-based public policy and marketplace advocacy. The forest products industry is circular by nature. AF&PA member companies make essential products from renewable and recyclable resources, generate renewable bioenergy and are committed to continuous improvement through the industry’s sustainability initiative —Better Practices, Better Planet 2030: Sustainable Products for a Sustainable Future. The forest products industry accounts for approximately 5% of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufactures about $350 billion in products annually and employs about 925,000 people. The industry meets a payroll of about $65 billion annually and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 43 states. Visit AF&PA online at afandpa.org or follow us on Twitter @ForestandPaper.

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