Release Date:
The Southern Cypress Manufacturers Association commended the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s decision to promote wood as a green building material.
In the announcement, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said USDA would preferentially select wood in the agency’s new construction projects, enhance green building material research and development, and demonstrate the use of wood in non-residential structures.
SCMA President Frank Vallot said, “Our industry has consistently spread the message that wood is the ultimate green building material because it’s renewable, sustainable, carbon-neutral, and can be locally sourced and repurposed at the end of a building’s life.
"In addition, science-based research confirms that wood outperforms other building materials in lifecycle analysis, which examines the total environmental impact of building products through harvesting, transportation, manufacture, and end-of-life scenarios. New studies show that wood products are among the most energy efficient to produce, and yield fewer air emissions than other building products.
"The USDA’s efforts will not only encourage the use of American-grown wood and improve the health of America’s forests, but also will help retain and create jobs in our country. We look forward to working with Secretary Vilsack and his agency to spread the positive environmental and economical messages associated with the increased use of wood products.”