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Issue – Carbon Neutrality of Biomass

PPRC Position Paper on Carbon Neutrality 

Biomass – Carbon Neutrality of Our Bioenergy

  • We call on Congress, the EPA, the Treasury Department and other policymakers to provide regulatory certainty for the carbon neutrality of the bioenergy produced at U.S. paper and wood products mills. Unfortunately, for the last 15 years, we have sought regulatory certainty on the carbon benefits of our bioenergy from the EPA and other agencies and have yet to obtain it.
  • The U.S. pulp and paper industry is a leading producer of carbon-neutral bioenergy from residuals of the manufacturing process. We use as much of the tree as possible to make pulp, paper, packaging, and wood products. Biomass residuals from the pulp, paper, and wood products industry – such as bark, liquid biomass from the papermaking process (E.g., black liquor), and paper recycling residuals – are used to make approximately two-thirds of the energy used to power our mills, as well as to provide carbon neutral bioelectricity for the grid. Using these manufacturing residuals as a fuel source supports U.S. energy independence and provides a huge greenhouse gas reduction benefit, equivalent to avoiding the emissions of about 35 million gasoline-powered cars.
  • The carbon benefits of using forest products manufacturing residuals are recognized globally, benefitting our competitors. Unfortunately, the United States is an outlier for failing to recognize the carbon benefits of our renewable biomass energy.
  • We ask Congress to include provisions in the upcoming Farm Bill recognizing the carbon neutrality of the bioenergy produced in pulp, paper, and wood products mills.
  • We also ask all agencies, including the Department of Treasury, the Department of Energy, and the EPA, to fully recognize in all policies and regulations, including the clean electricity tax credits, the carbon benefits of the bioenergy produced in pulp, paper, and wood products mills. Under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Department of Treasury was required to issue regulations to implement the production tax credit and investment tax credit under sections 45Y and 48E of the Internal Revenue Code. Under the IRA, qualified facilities have a greenhouse gas emissions rate of not greater than zero. Existing energy systems at pulp and paper mills should be included as qualified facilities in Treasury’s final rule and annual table. 

National Administrative Positions

  • Information Technology Director
    David Cothren, USW Local 13-1149
    Graphic Packaging International
    Queen City, TX 75572
    David.Cothren@graphicpkg.com
  • Internal Communication Director
    Lloyd Allen, USW Local 9-983
    Clearwater Paper Company
    Augusta, GA 30906
    James.Allen@clearwaterpaper.com
  • External Communication Director
    Austin Wise, USW Local 1879
    Smurfit Westrock
    Florence, SC 29505
    Awise88@me.com
  • Scheduling Director
    William Schwalbach, USW Local 2-20
    Ahlstrom
    Kaukauna, WI 54130
    Pulpandpaperworkers@gmail.com

National Special Projects Coordinators at Large

  • Vince Geiser, NSC Recording Secretary
    IBEW Local 464
    Smurfit WestRock Company
    Covington, VA 24426
    james.geiser@smurfitwestrock.com
  • Scott Goins, IAM Local Lodge 1098
    Georgia Pacific
    Palatka, FL 32177
    scott.goins@gapac.com
  • Matt Hall NSC Chairman IBEW Local 464 
    Smurfit WestRock Company
    Covington, VA 24426
    matt.hall@smurfitwestrock.com 
  • Jason Etheridge NSC Vice Chairman USW Local 9-0425
    Smurfit WestRock Company
    Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870
    jasonetheridge78@yahoo.com

Executive Team

  • Clay Duke, Executive Director
    clay.duke@suzanopackaging.com | Pine Bluff, AR
  • Matt Hall, Chairman
    matt.hall@smurfitwestrock.com | Covington, VA
  • Jason Etheridge, Vice Chairman
    jasonetheridge78@yahoo.com | Roanoke Rapids, NC

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