Formed in 1956, the Northwest Pulp and Paper Association (NWPPA) is a multi-state trade association specific to the pulp and paper industry. NWPPA represents 13 member companies and a total of 15 mills in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. NWPPA members employ approximately 10,000 people with predominately union-represented jobs that provide family-wage employment. Many of these jobs are located in rural communities faced with the highest unemployment rates in the region. These high-wage manufacturing jobs support a 3-to-1 job multiplier, and even higher in rural communities. Since its inception, NWPPA has worked with member mill management, regulators, and public interest groups to help the industry meet the high demand for pulp and paper products while also focusing on environmental sustainability, being a good neighbor and responsible corporate citizen, and staying on the leading edge of technology and science to ensure compliance with government regulations. As a regional trade association, NWPPA focuses primarily on environmental issues including air, water and energy policy. On an ongoing basis, NWPPA provides advocacy and lobbying on legislative and regulatory issues, member permitting assistance, member conferences and training seminars, and continuous communications about new rules and guidance by federal and state regulatory agencies. NWPPA also works closely with the American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA) and with the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement (NCASI).