WASHINGTON, D.C.–Acres and acres of trees in your state are used as part of the economy, creating jobs and marketable products. But under new Environmental Protection Agency regulations, the forestry industry in Mississippi, and your job, could be in trouble, said Sen. Roger Wicker Tuesday.
Wicker said he was concerned about the future of Mississippi’s economy under the new rules during the Senate Environment and Public Works subcommittee hearing. The hearing specifically addressed “Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Hunting in an Era of Changing Climate.”
“Forestry in Mississippi is a $14 billion industry and supports more than 63,000 full- and part-time jobs,” said Wicker. “Healthy, productive, and well-managed forests cover more than 60 percent of my home state. These healthy forests support industry that employs 25 percent of Mississippi’s manufacturing workforce. Given the current depressed market for forestry goods, higher prices for electricity would only worsen industry problems. For foresters who properly manage their trees, a changing climate is not the problem, but onerous regulations that increase the cost of forestry production are.”
Wicker, a Republican, has questioned other Obama administration policies that he has said are part of big government.
He said the EPA’s proposed rules have been studied by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which recently released a report analyzing their impact. The group, which represents businesses and trade organizations, estimated that the regulations could increase electricity costs by $289 billion by 2030.
“Farmers have been managing their crops effectively and adapting to variable climate conditions for generations and generations. This is nothing new. Unfortunately, this generation will have to cope with higher electricity costs because of questionable climate regulations. For farmers who properly manage their land, a changing climate is not the problem, but burdensome regulations that increase the cost of farm production are.”
“We should be creating jobs and strengthening the economy, not hindering it,” said Wicker.
