Senator Blanche Lincoln to Sponsor Hardwood Resolution in the Senate

After weeks of communication with Senator Blanche Lincoln’s (D-AR) staff, HF has learned that the Senator will be the lead sponsor of the Senate companion resolution to H.Res. 81.  Lincoln is a great Senator to sponsor this resolution; she was instated as the Chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee this year and represents the forestry-rich state of Arkansas. 

The House version (H.Res. 81) was sponsored by Representative Brad Ellsworth (D-IN) and had 52 bipartisan cosponsors when it passed the House floor on September 15.  We anticipate an equally friendly response in the Senate.  HF sees this resolution as a key factor in championing for the use of domestic hardwoods in Federal green building initiatives, and is excited to work with Senator Lincoln and her colleagues to get this passed in the coming weeks.

HFPAC President Jamey French to Testify at U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) Hearing on Exports

The USITC will hold a hearing to analyze the performance of U.S. small to medium enterprises in exporting compared to exporting companies in other leading economies. HFPAC President Jamey French, who testified for the House Small Business Committee in June of 2008 on the export trends and trade challenges facing hardwood business owners, has been asked to participate in the USITC hearing on the same subject.  Mr. French will be representing HF, telling the story of the hardwood industry’s struggle to recover from the economic hardship.  Click here for a press release from the USITC announcing the hearing, which is scheduled for February 9, 2010.

HF Joins Coalition on Green Schools Bill

HF has joined a coalition including numerous school industry suppliers calling for Congress to include funds for new or renovated schools in any jobs bill being contemplated by Congress.  The coalition signed a letter to Rep. Chandler (D-KY) who sponsored the “High Performing Green Schools Bill”, legislation which was amended on the House floor to direct green schools projects to consider including US hardwoods. Congress is currently considering a draft bill which would be aimed at “Green” jobs as the next in a series of economic stimulus packages which have been passed by Congress in the past year. HF does not have a position supporting the stimulus legislation but does work to assure that the interests of the hardwood industry are reflected in any final bill.  The letter reads, “Incentives to retrofit buildings with energy efficiency upgrades will spur demand for new equipment, appliances and building materials, create work for construction trades, raise property values, reduce energy use and save money.”

EPA to Regulate Emissions in Response to Copenhagen Climate Summit Finding

EPA’s decision to announce its intention to regulate carbon dioxide under an “endangerment finding” on the first day of the Copenhagen Climate Change talks has many in Congress fuming, although supporters may be using the action to their advantage.  Senators John Kerry (D-MA), Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT) unveiled a broad “framework for climate action” to help guide the Senate in its policy debate on legislation to curtail green house gas emissions.  HF is continuing to work with others in the forest products industry to assure that forest products are given credit in trading programs and that definitions of wood qualifying for incentive programs is not limited through arbitrary federal definitions.

President Obama Meets with Banking Executives on Credit Crisis

President Obama called banking executives to the White House today to urge them to address, among other issues, the pressing credit crisis.  The President is particularly concerned about the lack of credit being provided to small businesses irrespective of credit standing and long term business relations.  HF leaders raised this issue with Congressional leaders at the September Washington Fly-in.

Senate Subcommittee on International Trade Hearing:  Exports and Economic Recovery

Wednesday, December 9, the Senate Subcommittee on International Trade held a hearing to discuss the role exports play on the road to economic recovery.  Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Senator LeMieux of Florida testified before the Subcommittee on the importance of making the export process simpler.  The two also highlighted the importance of getting small to medium size businesses the resources and tools needed to export their products, citing that businesses that export are 8.5% more likely to stay in business.  The Hardwood Federation plans to work with the Subcommittee on the USDA-APHIS plan to increase phytosanitary inspection fees in 2010.  Click here to read more testimonies from the hearing.

Correction from Last Week: Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN) Contacts Administration to Promote H.Res. 81

Last week, HF told you of Rep. Ellsworth’s letter to promote domestic hardwood use, which was sent to the Chief Environmental Executive Michelle Moore in response to the Obama executive order on green building.  We did not mention that Rep. Ellsworth also sent a letter to Carol Browner, Director of the White House Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy.  Ms. Browner was also the Director of the EPA under the Clinton Administration.  To read this letter, please open the attachment.