WOODWORKING NETWORK, ROBERT DALHEIM

The American Wood Council (AWC) is commending the passage of the rec National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

The bill included language from Reps. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) and Austin Scott (R-GA) directing the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Agriculture to review the potential to incorporate innovative wood products in constructing or renovating facilities owned or managed by the Department of Defense and issue a report to Congress.

This includes the use of mass timber building techniques.

“The Department of Defense identified climate change as a serious national security threat in 2014,” says AWC President Jackson Morrill. “Innovative wood products, including mass timber, are part of the climate solution. One study found that substituting wood for other materials used in buildings and bridges could prevent 14 to 31 percent of global carbon emissions.

“Several military bases have already built hotels using mass timber after it passed rigorous blast testing. Further investigation into the use of innovative wood products will help jump start the use of low-carbon materials to support the military’s crucial and evolving mission. AWC thanks Representatives Spanberger and Scott for their leadership in championing sustainable wood products in today’s modern military construction.”

The American Wood Council is a voice for the North American wood products manufacturing. The council represents 86 percent of the structural wood products industry.