Rep. Suzanne Bonamici and other Oregon legislators recently joined senate and house colleagues to introduce the Timber Innovation Act, which aims to find new and innovative uses for wood as building material.
The legislators said recent developments in wood products engineering have made wood a viable material for larger construction projects. The bill would also support ongoing efforts at the U.S. Department of Agriculture to further encourage the use of wood products as a building material for tall buildings.
The bill would accelerate the research and development of wood for use in construction projects, focusing on the construction of buildings over 85 feet in height. It would incentivize investment through the National Forest Products Lab and American universities to conduct research and development on new methods for the construction of wood buildings.
“Harnessing the potential of timber is a win-win-win for Oregonians,” Bonamici said. “Our first-class research institutions and scientists are leading the way toward a greener and more robust economy.”
Bonamici said rural communities would have the opportunity to generate more jobs and value from their natural resources, and Oregonians would benefit from low-carbon, more sustainable construction materials that create beautiful buildings. “I am proud to champion innovative timber products and will continue to look for ways to grow this exciting new industry,” she said.
Sen. Jeff Merkley highlighted the dependence of the rural economy on overcoming challenges faced by timber mills and manufacturing businesses. He said Oregon should seize the opportunity to be a leader in manufacturing cross-laminated timber and mass plywood panels. “This legislation supports our rural economy, while also promoting lower-carbon, more sustainable tall wood building construction in urban Oregon,” Merkley said.
Sen. Ron Wyden said, “This bill represents the can-do Oregon way by focusing on creative solutions that can generate jobs throughout our state in timber, manufacturing and construction. Oregonians should be justifiably proud of pioneering the path toward a more sustainable future that includes the use of wood in building materials.”
“The timber industry creates good paying jobs for more than one million people across the country,” Rep. Kurt Schrader said. “Oregon’s rural communities are uniquely positioned to benefit from innovation in the sustainable and green building sector. This bill will help promote and advance research in wood products to revolutionize the building industry which in turn will help our timber communities not simply sustain, but grow.”
In addition to support from Senate and House Democrats and Republicans, the bill is supported by Weyerhaeuser, National Wildlife Federation, the American Wood Council, and more than 100 other stakeholders.
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