Gov. Inslee approves forestry industry carbon bill

OLYMPIA, Wash., March 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law ESSHB 2528, legislation acknowledging the essential role Washington state's forestry industry and working forests play in removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, and affirming it is in the public's interest to support all aspects of a fully integrated forest sector in the state. 

The legislation formally establishes a state policy recognizing and supporting the complete forest products sector as a climate solution, which includes landowners, mills, bioenergy, pulp and paper, harvesting and transportation infrastructure necessary to continue sustainable forestry, production and transportation of the state's wood products. 

Leaders of the Washington Forest Protection Association (WFPA) and the American Forest Resource Council (AFRC) say the new law represents an important step toward ensuring a robust forestry industry while promoting sustainability.

"This legislation recognizes the importance of trees, wood and paper products in absorbing and storing carbon," said Mark Doumit, WFPA Executive Director. "Recognition that the forest and wood products sector, including landowners, mills, bioenergy, pulp and paper, and the related harvesting and transportation infrastructure is part of our state's natural climate solution, also supports rural communities and jobs."

Once enacted into law, state agencies would recognize and support efforts by the timber industry to sequester carbon through reforestation and transference to long-lived wood products. The legislation also encourages landowners to grow more trees that promote air quality and sequester carbon from the atmosphere by promoting investments in sustainable forestry and wood production.

"We thank Gov. Inslee for approving this legislation, and we appreciate the overwhelming bipartisan majorities in the Legislature for recognizing our entire industry is essential to state climate solutions," said AFRC President Travis Joseph. "The state understands the enormous potential for sustainable and renewable Washington-grown and manufactured wood products, which not only store carbon for generations, but support thousands of family-wage jobs as well."

Washington private forests and wood products sector sequesters 12% of the state's carbon emissions, and working forests play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gases. Sustainably managed forests provide a renewable timber supply of wood-based goods that retain the stored carbon throughout the life of the wood product, making the forestry industry one of the most effective and natural ways to sequester carbon.

The bill will go into effect 90 days after March 12^th, when the session ended.

About the Washington Forest Protection Association
The Washington Forest Protection Association (WFPA) represents private forest landowners growing and harvesting trees on about 4 million acres in Washington State.  Members of the 110-year-old association are large and small companies, individuals and families who practice sustainable forestry in Washington's private forests.  For more information, go to wfpa.org.

About the American Forest Resource Council
The American Forest Resource Council (AFRC) is a regional trade association whose mission is to promote the responsible management of our public forestlands through active management. AFRC members include manufacturers, producers, forestland owners and other professionals who work within the forest products industry. Learn more at amforest.org.

SOURCE Washington Forest Protection Association