Tough Questions: The Future of Maine's Paper Industry
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According to a report this week by WGME-TV, Portland, Me., USA, in just the past year, three Maine paper mills have shut down, with two more set to close soon.
Both the governor and Madison Paper blame the rapid decline of newspapers and other publications for the eventual closing of the Madison mill. But there is plenty of finger pointing at the state house. Republicans blame Democrats for not lowering corporate taxes and reducing energy costs. Democrats blame failed trade agreements, and unfair foreign competition for the mill closures.Paper industry leaders agree; there's plenty of blame to go around. Donna Cassese is chair of the Maine Pulp and Paper Association. She described what it's going to take to make sure Maine's six remaining paper mills don't suffer the same fate.
"We need more pipeline capacity to lower their energy costs, which is now the highest in the nation," Cassese said. "We need market-based tax valuations so that the mills are paying a fair tax in the towns that they're in."
She also said Maine mills need to do their part. Sappi N.A. (Boston, Mass.) has a team of 50 people in its research and development department to find new innovations and products. And the Woodland mill is hiring 70 people for its new tissue machines.
Yesterday, the Republican Governor met with Republican and Democratic lawmakers. Republicans called the meeting productive. Democrats said just the opposite.
In that meeting, the Governor told legislators the Labor Department's Rapid Response team is in Madison helping workers prepare for the transition. And yet, the state's paper industry is still waiting for the governor and lawmakers to pass meaningful legislation to help Maine's struggling paper mills.
