Press Releases

BOTHELL – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today discussed ways to open up new markets and create jobs for rural communities through research and incentives for tall wood building construction.

“Washington’s First District is home to rural communities with economies dependent on forest products. Through innovations in timber we can encourage the use of green building materials in construction while creating jobs and supporting healthy forests,” DelBene said. “Advancing tall wood building construction through the Timber Innovation Act is a win for working families and our environment.”

DelBene introduced the bipartisan Timber Innovation Act (H.R. 5628) to spur the use of tall wood building construction – those above 85 feet or seven stories – through the use of less expensive and less carbon-intensive building materials, like cross-laminated timber (CLT).

“Cross laminated timber means reduced carbon emissions and advanced manufacturing jobs in rural communities across the Pacific Northwest,” said Darrington Mayor Dan Rankin. “These new jobs promote forest health, vibrant communities and resilient economies for all of us in Washington state.”

DelBene’s bipartisan legislation is cosponsored by Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) and Derek Kilmer (WA-06). Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA.) is also a cosponsor of the Senate version of the bill.

Specifically, the legislation would:

• Establish a new performance driven research and development program advancing tall wood building construction in the United States;
• Authorize the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) popular Tall Wood Building Prize Competition for the next five years;
• Create federal grants to support state, local, tribal, university and private sector education, outreach, and research and development to accelerate the use of wood in tall buildings;
• Incentivize the retrofitting of existing facilities located in areas with high unemployment rates; and
• Authorize technical assistance for USDA, in cooperation with qualified state officials, to implement technical assistance and education when utilizing mass timber products.

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