The American Wood Council (AWC) applauded the final passage of the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill included language 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.
“The Department of Defense identified climate change as a serious national security threat in 2014. Innovative wood products, including mass timber, are part of the climate solution,” AWC president and CEO Jackson Morrill said in a statement issued following the passage of the NDAA. “One study found that substituting wood for other materials used in buildings and bridges could prevent 14-31% of global carbon emissions.”
In his statement, Morrill noted that several military bases have already built hotels using mass timber after mass timber passed rigorous blast testing. Morrill said further investigation into the use of innovative wood products can help “jump start” the use of low-carbon materials to support the military’s “evolving mission.”
The AWC represents 86% of the structural wood products industry. Staff experts with the AWC develop engineering data, technology, and standards for wood products to assure their safe and efficient design and provide information on wood design, green building, and environmental regulations.
