There’s still a long legislative process to get through but if this is enacted, it’s a big advancement for the construction field.
The Mass Timber Federal Building Act has been introduced by Representative Glenn Thompson, a Republican from Pennsylvania, and Andrea Salinas, a Democrat from Oregon, into the House of Representatives, offering hope for the advancement of the building process.
According to a report, the bill “provides incentives for the use of mass timber building materials in federal contracting, giving timber and other forest products companies the ability to compete for construction, renovation or acquisition of public buildings and for military construction.”
“American forests, such as the Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania, are tremendous natural resources,” said Rep. Thompson, “and when managed responsibly, they serve as a long-term source of high-quality timber. We aim to expand markets for timber and innovative wood products that Pennsylvania’s foresters and mills are ready to support.”
“Oregon has always been a leader in the U.S. mass timber industry, which has supported economic growth across the Pacific Northwest,” said Rep. Salinas. “Our wood products are sustainable and cost-effective building materials. Incentivizing the use of mass timber in federal buildings will expand our state’s industry, support good jobs, and drive down the cost of construction, which will help address the housing crisis. By supporting Oregon timber, we reduce wildfire risk, increase forest resiliency and shrink the carbon footprint of federal buildings.”
A companion bill, introduced by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and James Risch (R-ID) has also been introduced but a long process remains ahead of both bills before they could be enacted. Similar bills have been introduced in previous sessions. Still, support from the industry is strong.
“The Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group (AHUG) applauds Congressman Thompson,” said Amy Shields, executive director. “The legislation strengthens forest health, expands opportunities for Pennsylvania’s emerging hardwood CLT and mass timber sector and delivers meaningful economic and workforce benefits.”
Said Dave Tenny, president and CEO of the National Alliance of Forest Owners, “Strong markets for innovative wood products like mass timber help sustain rural communities, domestic manufacturing and the long-term stewardship of America’s forests. By expanding opportunities to build more federal buildings with innovative wood products, this will help grow the markets needed to support sustainable forest management and maintain a healthy and resilient forestry workforce.”
As momentum builds for mass timber across the U.S., there’s never been a better time to learn what’s next. Discover the latest trends, technologies, and market opportunities at IWF’s mass timber and prefab education sessions.
