Thousands of jobs will be created or saved, thanks to the work of Congressman Kurt Schrader (D-OR-5) and Congressman Brian Baird (D-WA-03). Today, both Members of Congress announced an agreement on a key provision of the upcoming American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454) that will allow federal forest products to be used to meet renewable energy and fuel standards. This announcement caps several months of work by both Members. Congressman Greg Walden (R-OR-2) also played a leading role in this bipartisan effort.
Thousands of jobs will be created or saved, thanks to the work of Congressman Kurt Schrader (D-OR-5) and Congressman Brian Baird (D-WA-03). Today, both Members of Congress announced an agreement on a key provision of the upcoming American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454) that will allow federal forest products to be used to meet renewable energy and fuel standards. This announcement caps several months of work by both Members. Congressman Greg Walden (R-OR-2) also played a leading role in this bipartisan effort.
In response to this achievement, both Congressmen released the following statements:
Schrader:
“The Pacific Northwest has long been a leader in recognizing the importance of addressing global climate change. Congressman Baird and I have made it a priority to bring the environmental, natural resource and agricultural communities together to make renewable energy a priority for this nation. We believe strongly that agricultural and forestry interests are not an impediment to climate change but are instead a big part of the solution. This is finally being recognized in the American Clean Energy and Security Act.”
Baird:
“Our efforts will create or save thousands of jobs, preserve forest health, and increase our energy independence. Allowing federal forest products to be used to meet the renewable energy standard will breathe new life into the timber industry that has been hurting for so many years. In addition, by allowing pulp and paper companies to use black liquor and other similar products to meet their renewable energy and fuels standard, we are preserving current operations, creating new opportunities, and consequently more jobs.
We have millions of acres of dead and diseased trees across America, many of them in Southwest Washington. Federal stimulus dollars are going to thin forests to protect against forest fires, yet under the original terms of this bill, those trees would be piled up and burned instead of being used for alternative energy. That’s not only bad environmental policy, but bad economic policy as well. However, thanks to the changes Kurt and I were able to make, that has now changed.
This is the reason I held a field briefing of the House Energy and Environment Subcommittee on the issue earlier this year. This is why I fought so hard for a responsible environmental policy, that will preserve our forests, help our timber and paper industries, and create thousands of jobs, all while moving us closer to energy independence. Thanks to this legislation, it is about to become a reality.”
