U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe is urging Congress to allow the nation’s struggling paper companies to continue to take advantage of a tax break intended to encourage use of alternative fuels.
Critics say the 50-cent per gallon credit was never intended to apply to paper mills that qualify for it by mixing diesel with “black liquor,” a pulp-making byproduct used as fuel.
The Maine Republican, who sits on the Senate Finance Committee, said today that the industry is going through desperate economic times. Noting that 44 of the nation’s paper mills have announced temporary closings this year, Snowe said the black liquor credit is a critical lifeline that’s helping to preserve jobs. (AP)
