Senator Olympia Snowe on Maine Pulp Plant Restart

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Snowe Welcomes Domtar Decision to Restart Pulp Production at Woodland Facility in Baileyville

June 10, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) today released the following statement in response to the announcement from Domtar that the company will reopen its Woodland Facility in Baileyville and begin pulp production on June 22, 2009:

"The Woodland Pulp Facility in Baileyville has long served as the economic cornerstone for many families and businesses in the community and throughout the surrounding region, and I could not be more pleased to learn this critical pulp mill will soon re-open its doors and put displaced workers back on payroll," said Senator Snowe. "This is extremely welcome news for Washington County and I stand ready to continue to work with Domtar officials and other local stakeholders to ensure the future viability of the mill."

As a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Snowe successfully fought to preserve the so-called black liquor tax credit, which has served as a critical lifeline to thousands of paper mills across the country during the economic slowdown, and allow it to remain in effect through 2009. Senator Snowe first learned how crucial this tax credit could be in assisting paper mills during perilous economic times in a conversation with Domtar Paper General Manager Tim Lowe and during a visit to the company’s mill in Baileyville in April. The black liquor tax credit, which Senator Snowe spearheaded efforts to retain, was cited by the company in a letter sent to its employees today as one of the primary reasons the Baileyville mill will reopen.

Source: Senator Olympia J. Snowe