KLOBUCHAR INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN BILL TO ACCELERATE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT OF WOOD BUILDING CONSTRUCTION IN UNITED STATES

Recent Advances in Wood Products Technology, Engineering Make Additional Construction Options More Viable

The T3 office building in Minneapolis, under construction now, is one of the first modern tall wood buildings to be built in the United States

Washington, D.C. – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today joined Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) to introduce the Timber Innovation Act, bipartisan legislation that would help accelerate research and development – and ultimately construction – of wood buildings in the United States. Specifically, this legislation would focus on finding innovative ways to use wood in the construction of buildings above 85 feet in height or roughly seven or more stories.

“A new market in wood construction and research will boost job creation in northern Minnesota and across the state. With the current construction of the T3 office building in Minneapolis, wood construction is already reaching new heights,” said Klobuchar. “This bill will drive the research and development needed to build on this progress.”

While wood products have been an integral part of construction for centuries, most wood buildings do not exceed three to four stories in height. However, with recent developments in wood products engineering alongside other new technologies, it is now possible to expand the use of wood into larger construction projects. The T3 office building in Minneapolis, under construction now, is one of the first modern tall wood buildings to be built in the United States.

Using innovative wood products in building construction increases restoration efforts that sustain watershed health and provide important habitat for wildlife while helping to mitigate climate change through carbon storage.

This bill would incentivize investment through the National Forest Products Lab and American colleges and universities to conduct research and development on new methods for the construction of wood buildings. Additionally, the bill would support ongoing efforts at the United States Department of Agriculture to further support the use of wood products as a building material for tall buildings.

The bill is supported by Weyerhaeuser, National Wildlife Federation, the American Wood Council, and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters.