American Wood Council applauds NDAA passage

American Wood Council President and CEO Jackson Morrill issued a statement following the final passage of the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). 

The bill included language from Reps. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) and Austin Scott (R-GA) directing the U.S. 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,” Morrill said. “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% of global carbon emissions.”

Morrill noted that 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,” he said. “AWC thanks Representatives Spanberger and Scott for their leadership in championing sustainable wood products in today’s modern military construction.”

The AWC also noted that a  letter supporting the Spanberger-Scott Amendment was sent to the House and Senate leadership of the Armed Services Committees.

The council says it represents about 86% of the structural wood products industry.