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August 28, 2026
Press Release

Joint Statement From the American Forest & Paper Association and the Northwest Pulp & Paper Association on the Chemical Safety Board Announcement

OLYMPIA — Aug. 28, 2026 — The following statement was issued today by representatives of the American Forest & Paper Association and the Northwest Pulp & Paper Association:

“The Chemical Safety Board’s update is an important step toward understanding the May 26 incident in Longview. We are reviewing the preliminary findings carefully and respect the investigative process as the Board develops its final findings and recommendations.

Safety remains our industry’s highest priority. Together with our members, labor partners and safety professionals, we are focused on continued learning, prevention and safety practices that help protect employees and surrounding communities. We support efforts that ensure an accurate understanding of what happened to identify measures that can help prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Our thoughts remain with the families, co-workers and the entire Longview community affected by this tragedy.”

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance public policies that foster economic growth, job creation and global competitiveness for a vital sector that makes the essential paper and packaging products Americans use every day. The U.S. forest products industry employs more than 925,000 people, largely in rural America, and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 44 states. Our industry accounts for approximately 4.7% of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufacturing more than $435 billion in products annually. AF&PA member companies are significant producers and users of renewable biomass energy and are committed to making sustainable products for a sustainable future through the industry’s decades-long initiative — Better Practices, Better Planet 2030.