Sep 29, 2005. /Lesprom Network/. Boise Cascade announced that it has joined the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) climate leaders partnership. The partnership is a voluntary program sponsored by the EPA to help companies set aggressive, corporatewide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals. "One of our company's principles is to proactively work with environmental organizations and government agencies on initiatives to protect our environment," said Tom Stephens, Boise CEO. "Joining climate leaders is an important step for Boise to continue our long-standing leadership role in conserving natural resources. While we've been reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our operations for several years, we believe being an active partner in the program will allow us to find new ways to further improve our performance." From 2000 to 2004, Boise reduced GHG emissions from wood products and paper manufacturing by about 6% on a total emission basis and by about 10% on an emission-per-unit production basis. "The EPA applauds Boise Cascade for its environmental leadership and strong commitment to conserving our natural resources," said Kathleen Hogan, director of the EPA's climate protection partnerships division. As a climate leader, Boise commits to set an aggressive, companywide GHG reduction goal to be achieved over five to 10 years, develop a GHG emissions inventory management plan, and report GHG emissions annually. The EPA, as sponsor of the program, commits to provide partner companies with technical assistance and a protocol to inventory GHG emissions and to publicize partners' accomplishments. Boise, headquartered in Boise, Idaho, manufactures engineered wood products, plywood, lumber, and particleboard and distributes a broad line of building materials, including wood products manufactured by the company. Boise also manufactures a wide range of specialty and premium products, including imaging papers for the office and home and papers for pressure-sensitive applications, as well as printing and converting papers, containerboard and corrugated boxes, newsprint, and market pulp.