Earthjustice Challenges Industry Attempt to Weaken Emissions Reporting Requirements for Paper Manufacturers
Facilities account for significant global warming emissions
Contacts
Tim Ballo, Earthjustice, (202) 667-4500, ext. 209
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Raviya Ismail, Earthjustice, (202) 667-4500, ext. 221
Earthjustice is representing Sierra Club and the Natural Resources Defense Council in an intervention opposing a lawsuit filed by the American Forest & Paper Association which challenges the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s reporting requirements for greenhouse gas emissions from facilities used in the paper industry.
The American Forest & Paper Association filed suit on Sept. 10 challenging EPA’s reporting requirements for greenhouse gas emissions from, among other things, industrial waste landfills and industrial wastewater treatment sources. Emissions from these facilities account for a significant portion of the overall contribution of paper production to global warming emissions.
“To respond to the very real threat of global warming there is an urgent need for comprehensive, accurate data on greenhouse gas emissions from facilities within all sectors of the economy,” said Tim Ballo, senior associate attorney with Earthjustice.
“To exempt one part of industry would be dangerous and negligent.”
Approximately 11 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions originate in pulp and paper mills’ wastewater treatment and landfill systems each year, according to the EPA. This amounts to roughly 15 percent of all GHG emissions from pulp and paper manufacturing.
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Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people's health, to preserve magnificent places and wildlife, to advance clean energy, and to combat climate change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.
