PCA takes Timber Innovation Act to the wood shed

Sources: Portland Cement Association, Washington, D.C.; CP staff

PCA urges Congress to reject the so-called Timber Innovation Act, which has returned to the 115th Congress after a 2016 debut. Through companion U.S. Senate and House of Representatives bills, it incentivizes state and local governments, universities and private companies with federal funds to conduct research & development, outreach and education advancing the use of mass timber products in construction.

“This is a blatant attempt by the wood industry to secure a competitive advantage through legislative means,” says PCA Executive Vice President A. Todd Johnston. “Our government should not be in the business promoting one building material over another. Construction-material decisions should be driven by the marketplace, through fair competition based on consumer demand.”

With domestic mills running at 79 percent of the industry’s 108 million-metric ton annual capacity, he adds, “U.S. cement consumption has yet to return to pre-recession levels, making it even more important that our industry not be undermined by policies like these from the federal government. Cement manufacturers are ready to help rebuild our nation’s infrastructure and compete for business as the housing and construction sectors slowly recover. We want fair competition—bills like these would rig the game.”

 

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