Merkley Statement on EPA Proposed Accounting Framework for Biogenic CO2 Emissions

"We can help rural economies and help address climate change by making good use of the biomass in our forests."

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

WASHINGTON -- Oregon's Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement on the EPA's proposed accounting framework for biogenic CO2 emissions, which will help provide more certainty and encourage job creation in the biomass industry in Oregon:

“The new draft accounting framework and guidance memo released by the EPA today are important steps toward providing greater clarity to our mills that have invested in biomass boilers, and to our forestland owners who are providing a sustainable source of energy.  All across Oregon, our forests are building up fuel loads as a result of a century’s worth of fire suppression. We can put Oregonians to work by not only removing these hazardous fuels, but using that biomass to make energy.  We can help rural economies and help address climate change by making good use of the biomass in our forests.”