U.S. EPA Advertises Key Hearing on Climate Pollution With Only One Day Notice

The Obama Administration seeks a three-year deferral for permitting greenhouse gas pollution from bioenergy and other biogenic sources.

The Obama Adminstration distributed details to the public only one day in advance of a key public hearing Tuesday on its proposed three-year loophole in regulating climate pollution from bioenergy under the Clean Air Act.  The topic of the hearing to be held in Washington, D.C. is the Administration’s proposal to delay the EPA’s responsibility to regulate greenhouse gas pollution from bioenergy and other biogenic sources.  The Environmental Paper Network previously issued a statement raising concerns about the long-term forest and climate impacts of a three-year deferral, and the importance of a science-driven process to navigate the special interests and the politically charged debate.

The delay threatens to set off an unsustainable sprint to build forests-to-energy facilities across the southern United States and elsewhere that will be grandfathered into the final rule.  It will further entrench the scientifically unfounded myth that using forests for biomass energy and forest products is carbon-neutral.  The delay will divert limited and much needed government funding and subsidies for renewable energy to be diverted from true renewable energy sources like wind and solar.  And it will undermine our nation’s recycling infrastructure by failing to account for the full emissions of producing virgin forest fiber products, such as paper. 

When: April 5, 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT

What: A public hearing on the EPA’s proposed rule that would defer, for a period of three years, greenhouse gas (GHG) permitting requirements for carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from biomass-fired and other biogenic sources.  EPA is also making available a guidance document, Guidance for Determining Best Available Control Technology for Reducing Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Bioenergy Production, to assist facilities and permitting authorities with permitting decisions until the Proposed Rule is finalized, which would clarify that biomass-fired sources can be considered Best Available Technology.

Where:  The hearing will be held at, Environmental Protection Agency, 1310 L St., NW, Room 152-154, Washington, DC 20005   

More information and to register to listen to the hearing via phone: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/deferralruleregister/deferral-rule-register.html

Live highlights from the public hearing via Twitter on @whatsnyourpapr and @dogwoodalliance starting at 2:30 Eastern on April 5, 2011.

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Media Contacts:  Joshua Martin, Environmental Paper Network, 828-242-4238

                                    Scot Quaranda, Dogwood Alliance, 828-251-2525 x18

The Environmental Paper Network accelerates environmental transformation in the paper industry through collaboration and the coordination of a strong and diverse coalition of non-governmental organizations in order to protect forests, climate, water and communities.  Learn more athttp://www.environmentalpaper.org.