Louisiana Loggers Association director warns of industry 'collapse,' urges federal incentives

Tony McAllister, executive director of the Louisiana Loggers Association, told a Police Jury meeting that the Southeastern pulp-and-paper sector has experienced a steep contraction and urged parish officials to press state and federal leaders for market incentives.

"The region has seen the closure or idling of 10 major facilities representing a loss of 5.1 million tons," McAllister said, citing a recent industry summary. She told jurors that the region now imports far more wood fiber than it produces and that without expanded markets the local logging and landowner economies face long-term decline.

McAllister described ongoing advocacy to expand federal tax incentives she said resemble the 45Q carbon‑capture credit and to add what she called 45Y and 45Z credits to support biomass and biochar facilities. She said Governor Landry and some members of Congress have been receptive and that she recently met with or briefed federal officials and members of Congress, including Congressman Bruce Westerman.

McAllister also promoted biochar and cellulosic fuels as potential markets for timber byproducts and said certain pulp mills that already generate electricity for the grid could qualify for incentives. "We have no carbon output anymore. Logging in Louisiana is a carbon‑negative situation," she said to explain why markets for woody biomass could be supported by climate and industrial incentives.

She described pushback from large industry groups, saying letters from trade associations complicated scheduled federal meetings and that some major companies declined to attend hearings. McAllister said those dynamics have helped depress pulpwood prices and that some landowners are burning or abandoning pulpwood because it no longer yields a market return.

Jurors and attendees asked technical questions about how federal agencies define "woody biomass," and McAllister said the issue is being discussed in the farm bill and in proposed standalone legislation. She urged local officials to notify state legislators and congressional offices about the issue and offered to be a contact for federal outreach.

Separately, an economic‑development board member updated jurors on a proposed Winn Parish pellet plant. The speaker said a $250,000 feasibility study found the project "highly feasible" and estimated a three‑year payback, but noted constraints including limited local electricity capacity and a slow short‑line rail that would raise transportation costs. The developer sought $5 million in startup capital in preliminary talks, but the board declined to sign immediate agreements and local investors did not commit on the spot.

The jury noted the local and regional stakes for employment and for landowners who have invested in long‑term pine plantations. The chair closed by asking jurors to keep legislators informed; the next meeting was announced for 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 24th.