50TH ANNIVERSARY OF SAPPI NORTH AMERICA'S SOMERSET MILL

On 2026-05-14, Senator Susan M. Collins (R-ME) delivered a floor speech titled "50TH ANNIVERSARY OF SAPPI NORTH AMERICA'S SOMERSET MILL" in the Senate.

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF SAPPI NORTH AMERICA'S SOMERSET MILL

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 82 (Thursday, May 14, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 82 (Thursday, May 14, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2302] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF SAPPI NORTH AMERICA'S SOMERSET MILL Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate Sappi North America, Inc., on 50 years of operations at the Somerset Mill in Skowhegan, ME. Since opening in 1976 on the banks of the Kennebec River, the Somerset Mill has grown into one of the most technologically advanced paper mills in North America. Today, the mill manufactures high-quality paper products from trees harvested in Maine and is known for its longstanding commitment to its employees and the surrounding community. The Somerset Mill employs approximately 780 skilled workers, making it one of the largest employers in Maine. The facility operates three state-of-the-art paper machines, with a total annual production capacity of 1.25 million tons. The mill produces coated freesheet paper commonly used for magazines, brochures, and direct mail advertising. It is also a leading producer of paper and paperboard used in packaging, labels, graphic papers, and grease-proof paper for food packaging. Project Elevate, a $500 million modernization investment completed last year, doubled the production capacity of Paper Machine No. 2. These recent investments in the Somerset Mill reflect the steadfast devotion Sappi holds to producing quality products and responding to market demands, further strengthening Sappi's position as a leader in sustainably manufactured paperboard. Sappi North America has undertaken significant efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Somerset Mill generates much of its energy on-site using biomass from papermaking byproducts, namely bark and wood chips. Sappi also has an approved Science Based Targets Initiative goal to reduce its carbon emissions by 41 percent by 2030. Additionally, the Somerset Mill holds triple certification from the Forest Stewardship Council, Sustainable Forestry Initiative, and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification. These accolades reflect Sappi's continued effort to maintain the long-term well-being of Maine's invaluable natural environment. Sappi's Somerset Mill has been recognized for its attention to the safety of its employees. In 2023, for the first time in its 50-year history, the pulp mill completed the fiscal year without a recordable injury. The mill also achieved 1 million hours without a Lost Time Injury and received a Gold Award through Sappi's global Safety Recognition Awards program. The mill's impact extends beyond its operations and into the surrounding community. In 2026, Sappi's Somerset Mill leadership was named Large Business of the Year by both the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce and the Skowhegan Area Chamber of Commerce. In 2025, Sappi North America CEO Mike Haws was recognized as the MaineBiz Leader of the Year. In 2023, the Somerset Mill received the Somerset County Champions Award at the Heart of Maine United Way campaign kickoff event after raising 30 percent of the county's total United Way workplace campaign contributions. I congratulate Sappi North America and all the employees of the Somerset Mill on this milestone anniversary and thank them for their continued contributions to Maine's economy, paper industry, and communities. ____________________