Legislative

AWC Taking More Proactive Role in Energy Efficiency Market, Creates Legislative Scorecard

November 9, 2015

The AWC has launched a legislative scorecard to track federal legislators’ votes and bill sponsorship on public policies affecting the use and manufacture of wood products.

Government Averts Crisis Over Rail Transport of Chemicals

November 9, 2015

Without an extension beyond the 31 December deadline, chemical transport by train across the US would likely have ended on much of the nation’s rail network in January 2016.

OSHA Fines to Increase Significantly After 25-Year Freeze

November 9, 2015

OSHA fines will increase for the first time in a quarter century, under a provision in the recently signed congressional budget deal.

3 Jobsite Regulations Currently Being Updated

November 4, 2015

From working in crawlspaces to using lead-safe paint, make sure you're following the current federal requirements.

Energy Reform Bill with Harmful Building Code Language Delayed in House

November 2, 2015

Following the anticipated trend of a cramped congressional agenda, it now appears likely that House floor debate on the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015 (H.R.8) will occur sometime after Thanksgiving.

Canada and US Have 'Short Window' to Reach New SLA

November 2, 2015

With Justin Trudeau's ascension as Canada's new prime minister, he and the Obama administration face a quickly shortening time horizon to work out a new Softwood Lumber Agreement (SLA).

Legislation in PA Seeks to Correct R501.3, AWC Seeks to Undermine with Letter to State's Code Council

October 29, 2015

A letter form the AWC is being shared to make it clear to the marketplace the extent to which politics, not science-based facts, resulted in R501.3 being drafted and adopted into the 2012 IRC, and the lengths to which one of its original authors, namely AWC, will go to preserve it.

NAHB's Decision Making Process Disregards Harm Caused to Truss Industry

October 29, 2015

This article contains public email correspondence from  Mr. Steve Orlowski of NAHB and is being shared to make it clear to the marketplace the extent to which politics, not science-based facts, resulted in R501.3 being drafted and adopted into the ICC's 2012 IRC.

Montana's Logging Woes Provide Perspective on Lumber Supply

October 26, 2015

Here are two articles that provide perspective on the logging and forest products industry in Montana in the wake of an expired SLA between the US and Canada.

California Adopts Aggressive Energy Efficiency Mandates for Buildings

October 12, 2015

California Gov. Jerry Brown signed an historic climate change bill October 7 that is expected to prompt greater renewable energy generation and make buildings more efficient.