NAFO Statement: EPA Carbon Accounting Framework for Biogenic CO2 Emissions

Submitted: The Two Sides Team November 26, 2014

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is acknowledging that biomass is part of the nation’s climate and energy solution

NAFO News Release

WASHINGTON, DC, November 19, 2014 – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released today a revised draft carbon accounting framework for biogenic CO2 emissions along with a memo to EPA Air Division Directors nationwide detailing its biomass policy for the proposed Clean Power Plan and Prevention of Significant Deterioration program. NAFO President and CEO Dave Tenny released the following statement in response.

"We are pleased that EPA is acknowledging that biomass is part of our nation’s climate and energy solution. This aligns EPA with the White House and USDA in recognizing the significant long-term carbon benefits that biomass provides.

"EPA has clearly signaled an intent to recognize the carbon benefits of biomass in forthcoming rulemakings. EPA can only accomplish this through practical approaches that work in the real world. Simplicity is the key.

"We look forward to working with EPA to develop final policies capturing the full carbon benefits of biomass and working forests nationwide."

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NAFO is an organization representing private forest owners and managers committed to advancing national policies that promote the economic and environmental benefits of privately-owned working forests. NAFO membership encompasses more than 80 million acres of private forestland in 47 states, and working forests in the U.S. support 2.4 million jobs. NAFO seeks common sense policy solutions to sustain the ecological, economic and social values of forests and to assure an abundance of healthy and productive forest resources for present and future generations.