About MFPC
Since 1961, the Maine Forest Products Council has been the voice of Maine’s forest economy. The MFPC represents the diverse needs of Maine’s forest products community. Our members are landowners, loggers, truckers, paper mills, tree farmers, foresters and lumber processors, but they are also bankers, lawyers and insurance executives. We feel we represent anyone who has an interest in seeing the Maine woods remain a viable, sustainable resource.
We serve our community by gathering information, bringing groups together to discuss concerns, hosting events, conducting tours and helping people find common ground.
We represent our members at the Maine Legislature, across the state, in Washington D.C. and across the nation.
The MFPC Board is very active, and holds weekly policy teleconferences during each legislative session to discuss legislation of interest and arrive at a position. Read more.
Legislative update
What a surprise! Tree Growth Tax is
under attack again
No, you’re not experiencing deja vu. LD 188 An Act Regarding the Transportation of Products in the Forest Products Industry is yet another bill that proposes to use the Tree Growth Tax to promote an unrelated issue — and this bill is similar but even worse than last session’s LD 2061 An Act Regarding the Transportation of Products in the Forest Products Industry, which squeaked out of the Taxation Committee on a party-line vote and died when the pandemic ended the session. Read more.
MFPC watch list has many bills, including familiar ones
By Patrick Strauch, MFPC Executive Director
Despite a pandemic and a crisis in national leadership, Maine’s forest industry keeps adapting to changing conditions as it works to remain competitive in a global marketplace. So we want to ensure that every newly elected Maine legislator understands the relationship between supporting businesses in their community and protecting jobs.
Legislative exuberance is rarely limited so at last tally, Rep. Christopher Kessler, D-South Portland, of South Portland, had the highest LR number on the list – LR 1957 An Act To Enact the Zero Tolerance Hazardous Air Emissions Act. 130th Legislature – possible bills of interest. Read more.
Calendar of Events
Please stay in touch
Like all of you, the Council's staff hopes to stay safe and also remain productive. So our staff will be working at home whenever possible. This includes SFI activities. Please call or email.
Patrick Strauch, Executive Director, 207-841-6869, pstrauch@maineforest.org
Pat Sirois, SFI Coordinator, 207-837-0101, psirois@maineforest.org.
Roberta Scruggs, Communication Director, 207-689-6401, rscruggs@maineforest.org.
Sue McCarthy, Office Manager, 207-841-1651. smccarthy@maineforest.org
Executive Committee and Board of Directors Meeting
1 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting
Find your state legislators
The biggest challenge facing the Maine Forest Products Council is how to advocate on behalf of membership in the first session of this “virtual 130th Legislature. It’s essential that members get to know and communicate with their legislators, because your representative and senator want to know how legislation will affect their constituents. The first step is finding out who represents you in the House and Senate. Click here to find out.
Covid-19 resources and guidance
Maine on pace to open vaccines to people 65 and older by March, but constraints remain
Gov. Mills rolls back early closing time for businesses as COVID-19 infection rates decline
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
Stay informed
Read now
UMaine awarded $4.8M to upgrade Forest Bioproducts Institute
The University of Maine Forest Bioproducts Research Institute (FBRI) will upgrade its Technology Research Center (TRC) in Old Town and Process Development Center (PDC) in Jenness Hall to bolster ongoing efforts to create new bioproducts, increase production and find uses for woody biomass materials typically considered waste.
The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) awarded FBRI $4.8 million on Jan. 7, 2021, for its research in crafting renewable fuel, heating oil, chemicals, plastics and other goods from woody biomass at a large scale.
Institute director Hemant Pendse says his team will invest about $2 million in processing technology infrastructure improvements for the off-campus TRC facility, as well as the on-campus PDC facility, with the balance supporting ongoing research. Read more.