The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), Washington, D.C., USA, President and CEO Donna Harman and American Wood Council (AWC), Leesburg, Va., President and CEO Robert Glowinski this past week issued the following statement in support of House passage of the Regulatory Accountability Act of 2017. They also welcomed House action last week to pass the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act and Midnight Rules Relief Act.

"We appreciate quick action on the part of the House to directly address the costly, complex, and heavy regulatory burden that our industry contends with every day. The Regulatory Accountability Act takes effective steps, including a judicially-enforceable cost-benefit test, to unleash the economic growth the nation deserves. And, the REINS Act and Midnight Rules Act will help provide a more transparent, efficient, and workable regulatory process to the benefit of citizens and businesses. We will continue to stand with congress to back policies that ensure regulations do more good than harm and strongly encourage the senate to follow the house’s lead."  

"The cumulative regulatory burden on American manufacturing has become unsustainable and works counter to investment, capital planning, and job creation. Regulations should be developed through a transparent and accountable process to ensure they are carefully developed and based on the best available scientific and technical information. Sensible regulations can provide important public benefits such as protection of health, safety, and the environment. However, poorly designed regulations can cause more harm than good, waste limited resources, undermine sustainable development, and erode the public’s confidence in our government. AWC encourages the senate to quickly take up these regulatory reform bills." 

Background: Following are key points regarding regulatory reform legislation passed by the house:

• Regulatory Accountability Act of 2017: Combines six separate bills that empower congress and the courts to stop damaging regulatory over-reach and enact a more transparent, efficient and workable regulatory process, including a judicially enforceable cost-benefit test. 
• Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act: Requires congressional approval for regulations that cost the economy $100 million or more.
• Midnight Rules Relief Act: Permits congress to overturn, with one vote, executive branch regulations finalized in the last 60 legislative days of the previous presidential administration.

The AF&PA serves to advance a sustainable U.S. pulp, paper, packaging, tissue, and wood products manufacturing industry through fact-based public policy and marketplace advocacy. AF&PA member companies make products essential for everyday life from renewable and recyclable resources and are committed to continuous improvement through the industry’s sustainability initiative—Better Practices, Better Planet 2020.The forest products industry accounts for approximately 4% of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufactures more than $200 billion in products annually, and employs approximately 900,000 men and women. The industry meets a payroll of approximately $50 billion annually and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 45 states. 

The American Wood Council is the voice of North American wood products manufacturing, representing more than 75% of an industry that provides approximately 400,000 men and women with family-wage jobs. AWC members make products that are essential to everyday life from a renewable resource that absorbs and sequesters carbon. Staff experts develop state-of-the-art engineering data, technology, and standards for wood products to assure their safe and efficient design, as well as provide information on wood design, green building, and environmental regulations. AWC also advocates for balanced government policies that affect wood products.