The Wisconsin Paper Council hailed the signing into law of Senate Bill 466, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 110, as a positive move for the Wisconsin’s paper, pulp, packaging, and forestry industries. Governor Tony Evers signed the measure into law at the State Capitol today in a private bill signing without members of the public or press.
“On behalf of statewide membership, The Wisconsin Paper Council would like to thank Governor Tony Evers for signing Act 110 into law, and once again recognize the leadership of Senator Patrick Testin and Representative Nancy VanderMeer for spearheading this important Legislative initiative,” stated Scott Suder, Wisconsin Paper Council President.
2021 Act 110 allows a company with an agreement in place and in good standing with an insurer a two-year inspection schedule for their chemical recovery boilers. Before this law, internal inspection of chemical recovery boilers in Wisconsin were required every twelve months, with the possibility of a six-month extension. To internally inspect a chemical recovery boiler, a mill must significantly curtail or completely shut down all operations. The process of thoroughly inspecting a chemical recovery boiler can require one or two weeks of complete shutdown of a paper mill. Changing the inspection timeline will reduce air emissions, increase mill worker safety and productivity and extend the life of each chemical recovery boiler. “Our organization is especially proud of the tremendous efforts of our diverse statewide coalition which came together to support this legislation,” added Suder.
“Our partners in the trades, labor organizations, economic development associations and industry supply chain leaders put an incredible amount of time, effort and energy into ensuring that policymakers understood the importance of this important change to state law.”
The Wisconsin Paper Council is the premier trade association which advocates for Wisconsin’s paper, pulp, and forestry industries before state and federal elected officials and regulators. The WPC promotes the positive economic, environmental, and social contributions of our industries throughout our state and nation. The Wisconsin papermaking industry employees over 30,000 highly skilled men and women whose efforts continue to make Wisconsin the number one papermaker in the United States.
