Approximately 85 workers from the U.S. forest products industry traveled to Washington, D.C., this week, holding more than 539 meetings with members of Congress and federal officials to discuss legislative and regulatory issues affecting the sector.

The delegation, organized by the Pulp and Paperworkers’ Resource Council (PPRC), represents hourly employees from 53 pulp, paper and wood products mills across 23 states. The organization said the annual advocacy event aims to provide policymakers with industry perspectives on environmental regulation, trade, renewable energy and manufacturing competitiveness.

Industry Representatives Discuss Manufacturing and Environmental Policy

During meetings with officials from Congress, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and other federal agencies, PPRC representatives discussed policies they believe influence the long-term competitiveness of the U.S. forest products sector.

According to PPRC Chairman Matt Hall, the organization supports regulatory approaches that balance environmental protection with economic development, while maintaining the competitiveness of domestic pulp, paper and wood products manufacturing.

The council said discussions focused on the role of sustainable forest management, renewable biomass energy, paper recycling, air and water regulations, and permitting processes affecting mill operations.

Trade, Fiber Supply and Biomass Among Key Topics

International trade remained one of the primary issues raised during the meetings.

The PPRC expressed support for renewing the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and maintaining access to specialized pulp and paper manufacturing equipment. The organization also called for simplification of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and measures it believes would strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers in global markets.

The council also discussed renewable biomass policy, expressing support for legislation intended to improve forest management and wildfire resilience. At the same time, it raised concerns that expanding certain renewable fuel incentives could increase competition for wood fiber used by pulp and paper mills.

Recycling and Environmental Regulations Addressed

Paper recycling and environmental regulation were additional priorities during the policy discussions.

The PPRC stated that it supports maintaining strong paper recycling systems while expressing concerns about proposed legislative changes that it believes could affect recycling communication and material recovery practices.

The organization also outlined its views on proposed Clean Air Act requirements, water quality regulations and the beneficial use of paper mill residuals, emphasizing the importance of science-based environmental policies that consider both environmental outcomes and industrial competitiveness.

In addition, representatives highlighted the role of biomass energy produced from manufacturing residuals, noting its contribution to mill energy systems and calling for greater regulatory certainty regarding carbon accounting.

Industry Continues Engagement With Policymakers

The annual Washington visit reflects ongoing engagement between the U.S. forest products industry and federal policymakers as regulatory frameworks continue to evolve.

The pulp and paper sector continues to monitor developments in environmental policy, trade, forest management, recycling legislation and renewable energy, all of which influence investment decisions, fiber supply and manufacturing operations.

According to the PPRC, the U.S. forest products industry supports approximately 925,000 jobs and remains an important contributor to domestic manufacturing, particularly in rural communities where pulp, paper and wood products facilities play a significant economic role.

As sustainability policies, international trade rules and environmental regulations continue to develop, dialogue between industry stakeholders and policymakers is expected to remain an important part of the sector’s long-term strategic planning.

Last Updated on 02/07/2026 by Jota Machinery