AWC Releases Statement on House Permitting Bills

The American Wood Council (AWC) encourages the U.S. House of Representatives to address the ongoing permitting gridlock and regulatory challenges limiting American manufacturing by passing the FENCES Act (H.R. 6409), FIRE Act (H.R. 6387), and the RED Tape Act (H.R. 6398) to help ease the unnecessary permitting burdens on American manufacturing. Together, these Acts would help modernize the air permitting process and clarify regulatory standards that hinder economic growth and infrastructure modernization.  

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) acknowledges that six principal air pollutants have fallen significantly since 1970. However, mills today are dealing with shrinking permitting “headroom” exacerbated by exceptional events, like wildfire, that are complicating permitting. 

“Passing these Acts and addressing implementation issues related to air permitting are critical to allow the U.S. wood products industry to innovate and continue to support environmental progress and economic opportunity in manufacturing communities,” said Tim Hunt, AWC Vice President of Environment. 

These Acts will help address some of the key issues in the implementation of the Clean Air Act by requiring revisions to how air quality data is used and addressing emissions from outside the U.S. 

AWC urges the House of Representatives to act on these bills and supports the continued collaboration between Congress and the EPA to address permitting barriers while protecting the American people.