PCA calls to reject ‘Timber Innovation Act

The Construction Manager in Training program, launched in 2010, provides a structured transition from the academic environment into the workplace. Currently it includes more than 2,200 enrollees. The Portland Cement Association urged Congress to reject the so-called “Timber Innovation Act” introduced this spring in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, noting it unfairly puts the federal government in the business of promoting wood-related building materials over others. Among its provisions, the bill promotes the wood materials sector by offering federally funded incentives to state and local governments, universities and private companies to conduct research and development, outreach and education to advance the use of mass timber products in construction. According to PCA, the U.S. cement industry is currently operating at roughly 79 percent of capacity, estimated at 108 million metric tons per year. Activities related to cement and concrete production in the U.S. employ nearly 535,000 workers, with a total annual payroll of approximately $25 billion. Of this, cement manufacturing represents more than 14,300 workers with an annual payroll of about $1 billion. ? (847) 966-6200 à www.cement.org