AWC, AF&PA Support House Passage of Ozone Bill


WASHINGTON – (AWC) President and CEO Robert Glowinski and (AF&PA) President and CEO Donna Harman issued the following statements following United States House of Representatives passage of the Ozone Standards Implementation Act of 2017 (H.R. 806). The legislation, which now moves to the United States Senate for consideration, prevents a rushed implementation of the 2015 ozone Nation Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
AWC: Heather Stegner
(202) 463-4756,

AF&PA: Barbara Riley/Chuck Fuqua
(202) 463-2463,

WASHINGTON – (AWC) President and CEO Robert Glowinski and (AF&PA) President and CEO Donna Harman issued the following statements following United States House of Representatives passage of the Ozone Standards Implementation Act of 2017 (H.R. 806). The legislation, which now moves to the United States Senate for consideration, prevents a rushed implementation of the 2015 ozone Nation Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).  

Robert Glowinski, President and CEO, AWC:
“This bill provides a practical approach for implementing the ozone NAAQS by allowing the 2008 rule to be fully implemented and its impacts determined before EPA considers new thresholds. It also recognizes ongoing state efforts to improve air quality through a reasonable implementation schedule. The bill’s permitting relief and other reforms are also a key step toward air standards that balance environmental protection and economic development. AWC thanks Congressman Pete Olson and the lead sponsors for their leadership on H.R. 806.”  

Donna Harman, President and CEO, AF&PA:
“Our industry has helped to make our air cleaner by investing billions of dollars while producing products essential for everyday life. The bipartisan Ozone Standards Implementation Act creates a more sensible timeline for reviewing the NAAQS standards. This common-sense approach allows air quality improvements to move forward while promoting job creation and economic growth in America. The Senate should waste no time in passing a bill that will also support global competitiveness for the forest products industry.”

Background on H.R. 806:

  • Adjusts the NAAQS review cycle to 10 years, establishing a more realistic review cycle;
  • Sets a 10-year implementation schedule for the 2015 ozone NAAQS to provide states with time to complete work on implementing the 2008 ozone standard; and
  • Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to issue implementation guidance concurrent with any NAAQS revision.
About AWC
The American Wood Council (AWC) is the voice of North American wood products manufacturing, representing over 75 percent 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. www.awc.org

About AF&PA
The American Forest & Paper Association (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 percent of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufactures over $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. Visit AF&PA online at

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