LATEST NEWS
Exposing the Carbon Credit and Offset SCAM - By: Belinda Carr
Carbon credits are a way to reduce our carbon emissions and our carbon footprint to ensure a sustainable planet for future generations. Like with most ideas, carbon credits started with honest intentions, but loopholes have turned it into a bookkeeping trick. Credits can be a greenwashing tactic that allows companies to mislead customers without making any improvements to their business model.
There are 2 broad types of carbon markets. The first is a mandatory ‘cap and trade’ program. Governments set a limit or cap on the emissions permitted across a certain industry. If a company exceeds its allowance, it can buy more carbon credits from its market to continue emitting gases. The second type of carbon market is the voluntary offset program. This allows businesses, nonprofits, and individuals to offset their emissions by choice.
The carbon credit market was created as part of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. This legally binding international agreement required only developed nations to cut CO2 emissions. It aimed to decrease overall emissions by 5% from 1990 levels. However, UN officials have since confirmed that Russian and Ukrainian oil and gas companies exploited loopholes and actually increased carbon emissions by 600 million tonnes.
The Paris Agreement of 2015 declared a new set of targets and asked all nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, not just developed nations. Its goal is to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels. The Paris agreement is voluntary and non-legally binding.
Here’s another example of dodgy carbon credits. An oil company, Royal Dutch Shell, delivered a carbon-neutral tanker of LNG or liquified natural gas to Taiwan by investing in ten-year-old forest projects in Ghana, Indonesia, and Peru. In 2020, a French oil company, Total, also delivered its first shipment of carbon-neutral LNG. How can you extract natural gas in Australia, ship it to China, and claim it’s carbon neutral? By buying a 10-year-old wind farm in northern China called Hebei.
In addition to these greenwashing loopholes, the actual cost of each carbon credit can vary drastically from less than $1 per ton to over $50 per ton. The cost depends on the effectiveness of the carbon offset project, the location, and additional benefits. For example, Bill Gates spends $600 per ton to negate emissions from his private jet. Microsoft pays an average of $20 per ton. On the lower end, Delta Air lines pays about $2.30 per ton. They spent $30 million on 13 million offsets, so they were able to declare themselves carbon neutral last year.
Tackling carbon emissions and climate change is very tricky. Carbon credits are a way to quantify emissions and pollutants, so they are a step in the right direction. But it is very important to identify the loopholes, flaws, or scams in the system and address them instead of ignoring them due to the fear of being labeled a climate change denier.
SOURCE: Exposing the Carbon Credit and Offset SCAM - Belinda Carr
TimberPro Celebrates Expanded Forestry Manufacturing Facility in Shawano, Wisconsin
August 28, 2023 — TimberPro, a manufacturer of forestry equipment, recently completed an $8 million expansion project that added nearly 49,000 square feet to its facility in Shawano, Wisconsin, U.S. The expansion will allow the company to double production capacity, enabling it to meet growing market demand for its equipment and attachments.
To celebrate the project’s completion, TimberPro hosted a public open house on Friday, August 25, for employees, their families and members of the Shawano community. TimberPro was founded by Pat Crawford in 2002. The Crawfords have been involved in the forestry business in Wisconsin for more than 75 years, and in recognition of their contributions, the new expansion was dedicated to the family.
"Our facility expansion represents a significant step forward for TimberPro, and we were glad to be able to showcase our enhanced capabilities to the community,” said Doug Morris, VP, Forest Machine Business Division, Komatsu. “Forestry is very important to the Wisconsin economy, and this expansion will enable us to provide more good family-supporting jobs, while also allowing us to enhance our research and development capabilities and significantly increase our production.”
According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the forest products industry provides more than 61,000 full- and part-time jobs in Wisconsin and has a total industry output of $24.4 billion. To help support regional jobs and the regional supply chain, TimberPro sources materials from many companies in northern Wisconsin.
With its expanded operation, TimberPro currently has several new job openings for those seeking career opportunities in the rewarding equipment manufacturing industry. Applicants interested in applying should call 847-437-5800 or visit https://komatsu.jobs.
About TimberPro
Established in 2002 and founded by the Crawford family, TimberPro is a Wisconsin-based manufacturer of purpose-built forest machines and attachments, offering tracked feller bunchers and harvesters, forwarders, wheeled harvesters, and felling heads. TimberPro was acquired by Komatsu in 2019.
About Komatsu
Komatsu develops and supplies technologies, equipment and services for the construction, mining, forklift, industrial and forestry markets. For a century, the company has been creating value for its customers through manufacturing and technology innovation, partnering with others to empower a sustainable future where people, business and the planet thrive together. Front-line industries worldwide use Komatsu solutions to develop modern infrastructure, extract fundamental minerals, maintain forests and create consumer products. The company's global service and distributor networks support customer operations to enhance safety and productivity while optimizing performance.
To learn more, visit www.komatsu.com
MEDIA SUPPORT: Jill Rick, 1-262-337-0854, jill.rick@global.komatsu
Shawn-Laree O’Neil, 1-773-802-0377, shawn-laree.o’neil@global.komatsu
Can’t See the Forest for the Trees
Originally the phrase was “Can’t See the Wood for the Trees.” Either way is apropos for the timber industry. Sometimes even loggers have a hard time seeing the forest for the trees.
“From him who sees no wood for trees and yet is busy as the bees.”
The expression refers to someone so consumed by the details of a problem (situation) that they are blind to the big picture. Looking at the situation from a 30,000-foot perspective can bring the big picture into focus and shed some light on the challenge instead of having tunnel vision or blinders on.
Rarely have the economic challenges of the timber industry been so daunting and challenging.
Mill Closures
Quotas
Price Cuts
Workforce Shortages
Inflation and Costs
Pulling back and playing into the doom and gloom scenario of all the negative economic news would be tempting. But there is a lesson about a hotdog salesman that is a good example worth considering.
There was a man who lived by the side of the road and sold hot dogs.
He was hard of hearing, so he had no radio.
He had trouble with his eyes, so he read no newspapers.
But he sold good hot dogs.
He put up signs on the highway telling how good they were.
He stood on the side of the road and cried, “Buy a hot dog, mister.”
And people bought.
So, he increased his meat and bun orders.
He bought a bigger stove to take care of his trade.
He finally got his son home from college to help him out.
Then something happened.
His son said, “Father, haven’t you been listening to the radio?
Haven’t you been reading the newspapers?
There’s a big depression.
The European situation is terrible.
The domestic situation is worse.”
Whereupon the father thought:
Well, my son’s been to college.
He read the papers and listened to the radio and ought to know.
So, the father cut back on his meat and bun orders, took down his advertising signs, and no longer bothered to stand out on the highway to promote his hot dogs.
His hot dog sales fell almost overnight.
“You are certainly right, son,” the father said to the boy, “we are certainly in the middle of a depression.”
It is all a mindset, but it can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. Scale back, less income, more contraction, less income, more contraction………………. It is an induced downward spiral.
The economy is cyclic, it always has been and always will be. Look at the Great Recession and the housing industry collapse of 2008. Even the stock market tanked. But we recovered from that. The economics of the timber industry will improve (if the doesn’t, then the entire economy is in bigger trouble, and it won’t matter), the only question is will you be weaker, like the hotdog vendor, and have to recover and play catch up, or will you maintain your strength and be positioned to take advantage of the recovery?
Furthermore, loggers are in far more control of the situation than they realize. You are the most important segment of the timber supply chain and you are indispensable, irreplaceable, and essential.
The timber and forest products industry is a lot like the human body. Each part is vital to survival and has a distinct function. The following analogy is an example of the vital function that the logging sector plays in the overall forest products industry:
One day the different parts of the body were having an argument to see which should be in charge.
The brain (foresters) said: ‘I do all the thinking, so I’m the most important, and I should be the boss’.
The eyes (landowner) said: ‘I see everything and let the rest of you know where we are, so I’m the most important, and I should be in charge’.
The hands (equipment vendors) said: ‘Without me, we wouldn’t be able to pick anything up or move anything. So, I’m the most important and should be in charge.
The stomach (mills) said: ‘I turn the food we eat into energy for the rest of you. Without me, we’d starve. So, I’m the most important and should be the boss.
The legs (truckers) said: ‘Without me, we wouldn’t be able to move anywhere. So, I’m the most important and should be in charge.
Then the rectum (loggers) spoke and insisted it should be in charge.
All the rest of the parts laughed and derided the very notion. The rectum wasn’t necessary. How could it possibly be in charge?
So, the rectum closed. After a few days, the legs were all wobbly, the stomach was queasy, the hands were shaky, the eyes were watery, and the brain couldn’t think straight. The other body parts soon agreed that they couldn’t take it anymore and that the rectum should be in charge.
This all goes to show that you don’t have to be the most important; you just need to show others that you do matter, and without you, the rest cannot exist or function. Although some people say the story’s moral is that it demonstrates that to be in charge, you just must be an ………
In conclusion:
Step back and gain a 30,000-foot perspective. See the forest, not just the trees.
Don’t create a self-fulfilling prophecy of decline. Position yourself to weather the economic storm but from a position of strength, not weakness. All storms pass. Having spent 15 years sailing the seven seas, I have encountered many storms, some life-threatening. When young sailors expressed concern, I would tell them, “Three days from now, we will have calm seas again,” and we did. Yesterday’s storms you faced have passed, last month’s storms are history, last year’s storm is a distant memory, and today’s storms will be too.
You are far more important than the brain, eyes, hands, stomach, and legs want you to believe. You might be taken for granted, not given rightful respect, neglected, and abused, but if you weren’t functioning, they wouldn’t be either. Don’t be afraid to speak up or stand up for yourselves.
WRITTEN BY: SCOTT DANE, ALC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Need to Create a Bird Habitat — Call a Professional Logger
The American Loggers Council (ALC) and American Bird Conservancy (ABC) toured a site near Natchitoches, Louisiana, to discuss the essential role logging and loggers play in maintaining healthy ecosystems for bird habitats. In attendance were David Cupp, Walsh Timber and ALC Secretary/Treasurer; Kevin Smith, ALC Communications Director; Jeremy Poirer, International Paper Biologist; Enyart Mitchell and Joe Cooper of Echo Forestry, and EJ Williams of the American Bird Conservancy.
When you are in the woods with EJ Williams, her energy and love of wildlife is contagious. Almost like the forest is EJ's natural habitat. EJ has dedicated the past 25 years to preventing the decline of native birds, conserving essential bird habitats, reducing top threats to birds, and building an American-wide community of bird conservationists. In the short time we were there she identified over 25 different types of birds by ear. She used her vast knowledge to discuss the importance of logging and forest management in maintaining healthy bird habitats.
For more than 25 years, the American Bird Conservancy has been standing up for birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. Learn more at www.abcbirds.org.
Many birds rely on young forests for nesting and raising their young, and logging is the first step in creating healthy young forests. Also, when loggers leave wide forest buffers along streams and rivers, they protect water quality and provide essential bird habitats.
The group visited Walsh Timber's logging site of a private landowner managed by Echo Forestry. Logging the site was Jason Edwards of J&H Logging Coushatta, Louisiana, who is a 2nd generation logger and avid hunter. Most loggers hunt, fish, hike, camp, and enjoy the woods immensely. For many, they found their way to logging, allowing them to make the woods into their office.
A logger's livelihood depends on a healthy ecosystem where trees are sustainably planted and harvested – any different and their career would have an expiration date.
Sustainably managed forests with periodic logging by professional loggers create the habitat for multiple bird species and many other plants and animals.
WRITTEN BY: KEVIN SMITH, ALC COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
Loggers and Truckers - The Connection between the Landowner and the Mill
All aspects of the timber industry supply chain are vital. None can exist without the other. But the weakest link is the logging and trucking sector. Logging and trucking have become very capital-intensive elements of the forest products industry, with the most labor challenges and the tightest returns on investment. Trucking is getting more and more difficult with regulations, driver shortages, inflationary expenses, and insurance and maintenance becoming cost prohibitive. The price of a new truck is nearly $200,000.
A review of publicly traded forest products manufacturers and landowners reveals strong, if not record, returns on investment over the past few years. Although forest product prices have fallen dramatically compared to the record prices, large forest products companies have posted strong stock value increases over the past couple of years. Two of the largest companies have reported stock price increases of 2 to 5 times 2022 prices. These companies have also reported annual net earnings of over $1 billion.
Landowners, including Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and industrial landowners (mills), have initial investment costs, but minimal annual costs. The return on investment for landowners, particularly REITs and industrial landowners, has been consistently positive, with an annual percentage increase in value of 25% over the past three years. Large industrial landowners have experienced similar increases in the value of their timberlands.
In contrast, it is obvious at times that the large manufacturer or landowner is unconcerned about paying a service contractor (logger) to harvest at rates that keep the contractor sustainable and their crews making a sustainable family wage. Too often, the large company succeeds in leveraging the smaller logging service contractor to harvest at unsustainably low margins. Why have the smaller service contractor loggers and truckers not experienced the same gains as the larger companies in the forest industry?
According to Forisk Timber REIT (FTR) Weekly, timber REITs as a sector realized a value increase/return of 25.09% based on appreciation and 30.12% on a total returns basis in 2021. These “snapshots” of timberland investment returns demonstrate an attractive return on investment for REITs and industrial landowners. However, many smaller private landowners have not seen comparable returns on their timberland investments.
There is nothing wrong with segments in the supply chain being profitable. In fact, they all should be profitable. It is the only way that the timber and forest products industry will be sustainable.
However, there is a major discrepancy between the return on investment of the landowner and mill compared to the logging and trucking sector. The logging sector invests millions of dollars in equipment that does not increase in value but instead continually depreciates in value. It is similar for the timber trucking industry.
Employment within the logging industry has steadily declined on average 2% per year. The infrastructure is eroding. A prior survey found that half of the logging companies in the U.S. operated at a breakeven or loss, while the greatest percentage of profitable logging companies operated at a 1%-3% profit margin. In most instances, the price paid for delivered wood has not kept pace with inflation over the past 10 years, while all costs (fuel, labor, equipment, insurance) have increased more rapidly than the Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate.
Many forest landowners and mills subscribe to forest certification programs that require specific training and practices of the logger. Much of the implementation and expense of achieving these initiatives is primarily borne by the logger in the name of sustainability, without any tangible benefit offsetting their cost, realizing any market gain, or stability. Sustainability is important for the future of the forests and the timber industry, with certification programs emphasizing - “Sustainable Supply Chains”
We do not see the same landowner or mill focus on the sustainability of the logging and trucking suppliers.
A discrepancy in the “certification criteria” is the requirement to “use written agreements for the purchase of raw material.” While this may be practiced between landowners and procurement entities, it is only figuratively practiced between loggers and facilities. The latter “agreements” volume and price can, and is, changed at the discretion of the facility. There are few if any, “binding” agreements between loggers and end users. This limits long-term investment security and business practices.
Current standards have demonstrated a failure to ensure that sufficient attention to supply chain sustainability exists and is maintained across all sectors of the timber and forest products industry.
Certification programs must include logging sector sustainability requirements if they are legitimately concerned about the long-term sustainability of healthy forests. Incorporating “fair trade” verifiable requirements for the service contractors in the certification process will fill a gap in the current sustainability criteria of forest and product certification programs.
Without the logger and trucker, the landowners cannot harvest their timber and realize the return on their investment. Without wood, the forest products industry cannot produce the products that generate income and profit. The logging and trucking industry values its key role in the timber and forest products supply chain. But, as has been demonstrated, the chain must be strengthened to ensure this link does not continue to weaken and eventually break. Without the logging and trucking sector, there would be no supply-chain connection between the forests and forest products mills.
Certification programs are the thread that stitches these sectors together. Certification programs need to ensure that all sectors of the timber and forest industry supply-chain are considered essential components to meet sustainability and certification objectives. Otherwise, forest sustainability will fail across all sectors, and “certification” programs will have proven ineffective in ensuring healthy, sustainable forest management.
BARKO Celebrates 60 Years and Joins The ALC!
WELCOME BARKO AS A NEW SILVER-MFG ASSOCIATE MEMBER OF THE ALC!
WELCOME BARKO AS A NEW SILVER-MFG ASSOCIATE MEMBER OF THE ALC!
Superior, Wisconsin – BARKO is a leading developer, manufacturer, and distributor of innovative heavy equipment solutions for the forestry, vegetation management and material handling industries and celebrates its diamond jubilee throughout 2023.
With humble beginnings as a welding, fabrication, and blacksmith shop on First Avenue East—where the Canal Park Lakewalk/boardwalk now sits—in 1963, Edward and Maurice Bartell established BARKO Hydraulics and produced what would prove to be the first hydraulically powered knuckle boom loader. Today, knuckle boom loaders are the backbone of every significant logging operation and BARKO is a globally leading brand.
On Tuesday, July 25, from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm, BARKO will host an Open-House-style public equipment display; company employees and executives will be on-hand to discuss BARKO machines, company history and future direction. Industry leading BARKO forestry equipment will be displayed for guests to view and investigate.
BARKO President, Justin Rupar, will provide public remarks, as well as representatives from BARKO Parent Company, The Heico Companies, including President and CEO of the Industrial Technology Group, Barbara Philibert.
Food Trucks will be on the premises, and BARKO personnel look forward to engaging with the community, press, fellow businesses, and anyone interested in the forestry industry, heavy equipment, and the ongoing story of BARKO, The King of the Forest.
Rupar commented, “For a business to succeed for 60 years in an environment as competitively dense as ours, it’s clear BARKO has maintained and evolved its fundamental business elements over the course of decades. This is an opportunity to celebrate the efforts of those past BARKO generations and set a course for the future.”
Media Contact: Parnell Thill I Phone: 715.395.6713 I Email: pthill@barko.com
From Logger's Son to Top Gun Pilot
James Kuehl began working in the woods with his father and grandfather around the time that he was old enough to shave. Having grown up in the small logging and mining town of Ely, Minnesota, just across the border from Canada, in a logging family, James acquired the strong work ethic that drove his ambition and success.
James Kuehl grew up in the small logging and mining town of Ely, Minnesota, just across the border from Canada; in a logging family, James acquired the strong work ethic that drove his ambition and success.
Living near the local airport, James’s attention and interest were captured by flying. As a result, James received his pilot’s license while he was still in high school. This was the first step in his aviation career. He’d planned to enter the Air Force, but when the original Top Gun movie came out, he decided to fly in the Navy.
After graduating high school, James attended the University of Minnesota through their Navy ROTC program. Upon graduation, he was commissioned into the U.S. Navy as an officer. He then attended flight school and was trained as a Navy jet pilot flying F-18s off aircraft carriers. After two deployments, he was selected to attend the Navy’s TOPGUN School, where he graduated and served as an instructor for six years.
His Top Gun call sign was “Zuel,” derived from the Ghostbuster movie’s character Gatekeeper “Zuul” due to his administrative responsibilities and the fact that nobody could correctly pronounce his last name Kuehl (Keel). Perhaps the call sign description was somewhat benign since it also represents a harbinger of destruction.
James attributes the hand and eye coordination that he developed running equipment in the woods and the demanding work ethic required in the logging industry as the primary contributors to his success flying as a TOPGUN pilot.
Interestingly, nearly three decades after the original movie came out, the second movie, “Top Gun, Maverick” was being explored, and Operations Officer Kuehl was stationed at what was then called NAVAL STRIKE AND AIR WARFARE CENTER (the Parent Command of TOPGUN). In his official capacity as Operations Officer, Kuehl met with the Director, Tony Scott; Producer, Jerry Bruckheimer; Tom Cruise; and other Hollywood representatives to discuss the coordination of flight activities.
As a result of his flying expertise and Top Gun status, and initial consultation with the “Top Gun, Maverick” movie, James was invited to a special screening for cast and crew in Hollywood before the public release of the movie. The premier of the new “Top Gun, Maverick” movie was held onboard the USS Midway in San Diego.
Kuehl’s family comes from generations of “Mavericks.” They can trace their logging history to the logging camps of northern Minnesota, where his grandparents logged and cooked. KUEHLS GRANDFATHER WALLACE was working in the woods into his 90’s. James’s father, Elroy Kuehl, founded the Associated Contract Loggers and Truckers of Minnesota and has served on the board continuously for 34 years. Elroy can be counted on to always be at the forefront challenging the status quo and fighting for loggers.
Whether in the woods or flying fighter jets, James has always pushed the boundaries yet remained grounded in his roots, returning home to Ely, Minnesota, periodically and not hesitating to jump back into the logging equipment and work with his father in the woods.
It’s not every logger’s son that can go from running logging equipment to flying jets as a TOPGUN U.S. Navy Pilot. Still, it is no surprise that logging teaches “loggers’ kids” a strong work ethic and the skills to succeed at whatever they pursue.
After 20 years, Commander Kuehl retired from the Navy and began a second career flying commercial jets for United Airlines.
LISTEN LIVE ON JUNE 29th
at 12:00 pm (CT) I 7:10 am WDSM (CT) I 6:10 AM KDLH (CT)
Ponsse Awards American Loggers Council Einari Vidgren Foundation Grant
The American Loggers Council is proud to be selected by the Einari Vidgren Foundation “As an Honorary Award of very important work for logging and the whole forest industry” Juha Vidgren, Chairman of the Board for the Einari Vidgren Foundation, Finland.
This international recognition represents one of the few U.S. organizations selected for this honor. The American Loggers Council appreciates the $5,000 monetary award and support of the national work to promote the sustainable timber industry in the U.S.
“The Einari Vidgren Foundation is working globally to find companies and associations which make their work sustainable in a responsible way. Forestry work has a very important role in finding solutions for climate change, and giving education and knowledge to our work is one of the Foundation’s roles.” - Juha Vidgren, Chairman.
Finland is a leader in sustainable forestry practices and innovation. Silvicultural considerations and practices are factored into the machinery produced by Ponsse and are a hallmark of successful, sustainable forest management operations globally.
Ponsse is a Finnish forest machine manufacturer run by the Vidgren family. The company was founded in 1970 by Einari Vidgren. As a leader in Cut-To-Length machinery, Ponsse is the market leader in Finland, where 40% of forest machines are made by Ponsse. The company manufactures all equipment in the small town, of Vierema, where the company was founded. Ponsse Group employs approximately 2,000 people in 13 countries. Their machinery is now used worldwide in over 40 countries.
An entrepreneur, Einari Vidgren, built his first machine from scratch with scavenged parts in a blacksmith shop. Rumor is that the machine proved extremely functional and was part of the dawning of the age of mechanization in the timber industry. However, it was not the most aesthetic machine hence its name, “Ponsse,” after an ugly crossbreed hunting dog that came back from hunting successfully. Today, the futuristic-looking machines are high-tech “transformer” extensions of the operator.
The American Loggers Council shares the same commitment to public education and promotion of the environmental and economic benefits of sustainable forest management as Einari Vidgren envisioned through the Einari Vidgren Foundation. This award will be applied to furthering that mission.
From the Woods to the White House: By Way of Capitol Hill
Recently the American Loggers Council hosted the first DC Congressional Fly-In in four years. Seventy-five timber industry representatives from twenty-one states held nearly one-hundred Congressional Meetings.
Along with these meetings, a Congressional Reception was held at the iconic Willard Hotel, where the ALC office is. Five Congressmen: (LaMalfa (CA), Westerman (AR), Collins (GA), Bergman (MI), Golden (ME)) and two Senators (Baldwin (WI) and Hyde-Smith (MS)) attended. Congressman Golden and Westerman were presented with the inaugural ALC Congressional Leadership Award for the House of Representatives, and Senators Collins and Baldwin were the recipients for the Senate. Timber is not a partisan issue, and the American Loggers Council has received strong bipartisan support on our federal legislative agenda.
Additional Congressional staff from other offices attended the reception along with representatives of the USFS, John Deere, and the Biomass Power Association. The Reception was sponsored by ALC Gold and Platinum Members (Tigercat, International Truck, John Deere, CAT, Southern Loggers Cooperative, Fuel & Resources, Morbark, Bitco Insurance Companies, Bandit, and Ponsse) with specific portions also sponsored by International Truck, International Union of Operating Engineers, the Louisiana Loggers Association, the Louisiana Logging Council, Southern Loggers Cooperative, Walsh Timber, the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association, the Associated California Loggers, and the Professional Logging Contractors of Maine.
The Day on the Hill saw timber industry representatives from Maine, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi, California, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Idaho, Louisiana, Oregon, and Maryland meet directly with their respective state Congressional Representatives and their staff. Timber industry representatives left their logging operations in the woods, traveled from across the country, and waded into the “swamp” of Washington DC, not for personal gain, but to bring all the U.S. timber industry’s voice to be heard through the halls of Congress and to the doors of the White House.
The bank robber Willie Sutton, when he was caught, was asked why he robbed banks. He replied, “Because that is where the money is.” Why do we go to Washington, DC? Because that is where the policy and legislation (money) is made that affects the logging industry. Same concept.
The ALC prepared a comprehensive 24-page Congressional Briefing Package that provided background on the legislative priorities and served as informational literature to share with the Congressional Offices. The issues advocated for include:
Biomass inclusion in the Renewable Fuel Standard
Future Logging Careers
Interstate Access
Truck Driver Incentive
Elimination of the Federal Excise
National Loggers Day
Increased Federal Forest Management
In conjunction with the legislative agenda and meetings, representatives of the American Loggers Council had the opportunity to make a special presentation to the Speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy. Two months ago, a logger from the east coast (I cannot recall who it was, but if somebody knows, please let the ALC know) called the ALC and suggested that a gavel made from wood from across the country be made and presented to newly elected Speaker of the House McCarthy. Having worked with acclaimed Montana wood artist Ron Kelley, the ALC contacted him and asked if he would craft a custom-made gavel with wood species from across the country. Montana ALC Board Member Ken Swanstrom worked with Ron, and he produced the perfect Speaker’s gavel. Considering that the Speaker’s home state is California, the Associated California Loggers secured a meeting with Speaker McCarthy where their delegation (Eric Carleson, Mike Albrecht, and Jeff Holland), ALC President Andy Irish (ME), and ALC Executive Director Scott Dane made the presentation to the Speaker of the House. Following the presentation, a meeting was held with Speaker McCarthy’s staff to discuss the ALC legislative agenda. The gavel was constructed from the following species, and their characteristics, regional representation, and uses were noted.
Black Walnut – Found across a wide swath of the US, it is one of the rarest and most valuable hardwood species in North America.
Holly – The state tree of Delaware, Holly is often associated with Christmas because of its use in making Christmas wreaths.
Alder – Primarily a western states tree, found in California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana, Alder symbolizes strength, protection, determination, and confidence.
Maple – One of America’s best-loved trees, claimed as the state tree more than any other single species, including New York, Vermont, West Virginia, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin
Gum Wood – The Gums are an important part of the Eastern hardwood forests, used in veneer, plywood, cabinets, and furniture.
Poplar – The state tree of Tennessee and Kentucky, these trees are fast growing and key to paper making.
Cedar – Cedar wood is rot-resistant and often used for fence posts, shingles, and outdoor furniture. Its Latin name, arborvitae, means tree of life, symbolizing strength, long life, and everlasting friendship.
Ash – Known in Scandinavian mythology as the tree of rebirth and healing. Ash tree wood is hard, heavy tough, and is used in making bats for America’s pastime, baseball.
Mesquite – Prevalent in Texas but native to the Southwest, their deep roots enable them to thrive in harsh environments and provide resources ranging from construction materials to medicinal uses.
In making the gavel presentation, the ALC stated, “like the wood from the trees represented in this gavel, the American logger represents different regions, provides different benefits, have different characteristics, but all contribute to the culture and society of America from coast to coast. As you govern, may this gavel serve as a reminder of the complex and integral component of the country and guide your consideration and efforts to preserve not only the timber industry but the country as a whole.”
Friday morning, the Spring ALC Board of Directors Meeting was held.
Capping off the Fly-In was a White House tour for 45 ALC members, including Ponsse President of North America Pekka Ruuskanen.
The consensus from all states was that their meetings and interaction were met favorably, and the Congressional Representatives and staff were more engaged and supportive than in some prior meetings. Those that attended and participated opened doors that the ALC will continue to take advantage of in our follow-up and push to pass our legislative priorities.
The ALC representatives provided Congress and the Administration with the information and opportunity to address some of the threats and challenges to the timber industry. Some of these Bills have been introduced with bipartisan support in both the Senate and the House.
Future Logging Careers Act
Introduced in the Senate and House on March 7th, 2023, by Senator Risch (ID), Senator King (ME), Congressman Thompson (PA), and Congressman Golden (ME). Additional cosponsors include Senators Crapo (ID), Senator Collins (ME), Senator Scott (SC), Senator Cornyn (TX), Congressman Fulcher (ID), and Congressman Pingree (ME). This bipartisan, bicameral legislation will allow logging families the same opportunity to pass on experience as farming families can as they prepare for the succession of these multigenerational family businesses.
Safe Routes Act
Bipartisan support (Congressman Gallagher (WI) and Congressman Golden (ME)) for the Safe Routes Act was demonstrated with the recent introduction in the House of Representatives.
This is a safety bill, first and foremost. It would simply allow (as has been established by precedent in numerous states) for current state weight limits for logging trucks operating on non-federal roadways to be extended to the interstate system. Representative Gallagher drove in a logging truck transiting the current non-interstate route through communities, rural roads, school zones, intersections, and single-lane routes and then the alternative interstate route this legislation would allow.
“It’s crazy how inefficient it is,” Gallagher said. “it’s bad for the truck, it’s bad for the trucker, it’s bad for the road, it’s bad for the environment, it’s less safe, so it absolutely makes no sense.”
Safe, Modern Trucks Act
With bipartisan Congressional support from Congressman LaMalfa (CA) and Congressman Pappas (NH) the Safe, Modern Trucks Act was introduced. This legislation recognizes that the 100-year-old 12% federal excise tax on new trucks and trailers de-incentivizes investment in new trucks by adding $30,000 to the price. The excise tax on heavy trucks is the highest excise tax levied on any product in the country. Half of America’s trucking fleet is over 10 years old, is less fuel efficient, and emits greater emissions. “On one hand, regulators want operators out of older trucks, but on the other hand, this tax penalizes them for trying to update their equipment,” said Congressman LaMalfa. Co-sponsoring the Bill are Congressman LaHood (IL) and Congressman Blumenauer (OR).
“If Congress is serious about creating jobs, reducing emissions, and improving highway safety, then repealing the Federal Excise Tax should be a priority.” Chris Spear, American Trucker Associations, President and CEO.
Strengthening Supply Chains Through Truck Driver Incentives Act
Introduced by U.S. Representatives Spanberger (VA) and Gallagher (WI) the Strengthening Supply Chains Through Truck Driver Incentives Act, the legislation would provide a short-term, fast and straightforward incentive to attract and retain new drivers.
“During the pandemic, truckers didn’t have any remote options – yet they went to work every single day to keep our economy moving and our communities strong. Our country needs to step up and recognize their hard work – and we need to encourage more Americans to enter this industry,” said Spanberger.
The Bill would create a two-year refundable tax credit of up to $7,500 for drivers with valid CDL-A who drive at least 1900 hours per year. It would also create a new refundable tax credit of up to $10,000 for new truck drivers enrolled in a registered trucking apprenticeship and who meet other requirements.
The “Ask” was for Congressional Representatives to support and sign onto these pieces of legislation. The goals and objectives are to get some, if not all, of these legislative priorities across the finish line (President’s desk).
Without the successful inclusion of these priorities and the positive message it will convey to the struggling timber industry, the logging and trucking infrastructure will be hard-pressed to remain invested in the future of the forest products industry.
The message was - We are here to represent a vital sector of the forest products and forest management team. Without us, none of the other environmental, economic, or forest management benefits are possible. For the most part, we are not asking for money, we are just asking you to pass legislation that allows us to do our job, make a living, create jobs, improve safety, protect the forests, and recognize the contribution we make to improving the environment and economy.
There is nothing more persuasive than for Congressional Representatives to hear firsthand from the men and women that actually work in the woods and drive logging trucks about the challenges that they face and how Congress can help ensure this vital industry survives.
The world is run by those that show up. If you are not at the table, you are probably on the menu. The American Logging Council members showed up and were at the table. But the work is not finished. All timber industry representatives are encouraged to contact their respective Congressional Representatives and request their support and sponsorship of the Bills referenced.
Mike Albrecht Speaks to New Workers Entering the Timber Industry in California
MIKE ALBRECHT IS 2ND VICE PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN LOGGERS COUNCIL AND PAST PRESIDENT OF ASSOCIATED CALIFORNIA LOGGERS.
The Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board (FRWDB) has expanded its workforce development contract to partner with Mother Lode Job Training in Tuolumne County, also working with Columbia College. Tuolumne County is Mike Albrecht’s “home base,” Mike is now involved in efforts to support this joint Fresno County/Tuolumne County effort.
Mike's remarks incorporate such positive developments as a recent Washington Post article that found loggers to be among the most satisfied workers; and a recent California statewide poll that saw widespread, b-partisan prioritization of wildfire as the biggest problem facing California and logging practices (thinning, clearing away of dead and dying trees) as the top priority way to handle the problem.
“My name is Mike Albrecht, and thank you for the opportunity to share a few thoughts with you. I’m a Registered Professional Forester, graduated in 1977 from Duke University with a master’s degree in forestry. I’ve been employed in the timber industry for the past 45 years, the last 30 of those running a logging company in Sonora, California called Sierra Resource Management.
I am here this evening on behalf of the Associated California Loggers. Our association represents over 400 logging and trucking companies with approximately 5,000 employees who work in an industry recently described by a government survey as the “happiest, least stressful, and most meaningful job in the country.”
The other day our mechanic was lying in the mud and snow changing the track motor on one of our feller bunchers, and I asked him, “How does it feel to be doing the happiest, least stressful, and most meaningful job in the country?” He glared at me.
On behalf of our Association, I want to congratulate you on the hard work and persistence that is culminating today in your graduation. You are entering the forestry profession and timber industry at a very challenging time, but also at a time full of opportunity.
Today, California’s forests are choked with too many trees. They are drought-stricken, and they have been severely impacted by bark beetles and wildfire. During the past 30 years, our ability to manage our forests has greatly diminished. In 1990, California boasted over 150 operating sawmills . . . today there are only 28. Thousands of jobs have been lost. California’s timber industry has been in danger of dying, as its memories of the past have been greater than its hope for the future.
During this period of industry contraction, two things have not declined: our demand for wood products and the growth rate of our forests. America uses about 60 billion board feet of wood every year. 60 billion board feet is a hard concept to describe to people, but here’s my best example: this is a board foot, 1” thick, 6” wide, 2 feet long. Let’s start stacking boards like this end-to[1]end and head toward the moon. Now if you remember your astronomy, you know that the moon is about 240,000 miles from the earth. How close to the moon would 60 billion feet get you? Do you think 60 billion board feet would get you there? Would it get you back? Actually, it would get you to the moon and back over 40 times.
Are we depleting our forests? No! America’s 780,000 acres of forests are currently growing an estimated 228 billion trees, which is almost 4 times as many trees as we had 100 years ago.
Today our forests grow well over 3 times as much timber volume as we harvest each year, yet America finds itself the second leading IMPORTER of lumber in the world, second only to China. California, with 33 million acres of forest, is importing over 75% of its wood products.
Fortunately, I believe things are about to change, and for the better. A recent poll identified forest thinning and wildfire control as the #1 issues of concern for Californians . . . ahead of our economy, education, crime and COVID. Californians are sick and tired of seeing their forests burn down, their rural communities destroyed, and clean air being replaced with smoke.
World leaders are now recognizing that the best defense against climate change is healthy forests. Trees are natural filters that take CO2 out of the atmosphere. From the recent Climate Summit, the International Panel on Climate Change reported this: “Our planet’s future climate is inextricably tied to the future of its forests.”
Researchers are finding new and innovative ways to use wood. A product called cross-laminated timber is beginning to replace concrete and steel in large, high-rise buildings. New systems are unleashing the power of wood to replace coal, make liquid fuel to power our ships and jets, and provide clean hydrogen fuel for cars and trucks.
I believe you graduates are entering forestry at the dawn of a new era. Politicians, scientists, and forestry leaders are seeing their priorities align like never before. We need the wood products, wildlife habitat, water, and climate benefits healthy forests provide. To take America’s forests to the next level, we need each of you. Each one of you, with your skill set, your work ethic, and your dedication, will help America’s forests meet the ongoing needs of our country and provide healthy forests for our future. As you move forward in your careers and in life, my parting advice: “Do what is right, no matter what the cost.”