Industry Leaders Meet with Oregon Governor on Wood Preference Executive Order

NRMCA's Tien Peng along with Oregon Concrete and Aggregate Producers Association (OCAPA) leaders, met last week with Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber and his staff to clarify the intent of an executive order that appears to favor wood over other materials for state funded construction. In October 2012, the governor issued Executive Order (EO 12-16) to promote Oregon wood products domestically and internationally, and ordered key agencies to study the feasibility of building state projects with wood. This EO was issued without consultation from the public or other industry sectors.

During the meeting, the governor clarified that the intention of the EO was not to advance wood products over other construction materials through any other means than design and engineering processes, nor intended to artificially provide preferences for any building material. The message industry delivered to the governor reflected the industry concerns with "Wood First" initiatives:

• The industry has no issues with a prominent state project showcasing wood products and engineering built within code.

• The industry has no issues in a state review of Oregon building codes and green building concepts to determine artificial or inappropriate barriers to the use of wood products (such as the LEED certification system) or any building material products.

• Industry intends to support such review by participation in an ad-hoc committee.

• NRMCA clarified the importance of reduced carbon footprint from the building sector while supporting the use of life cycle assessments in determining the complete environmental impacts of projects.

The meeting established continual working interest between the industry and the state for economic prosperity of all materials. These actions are manifestations of the broader attempts at the local level by wood interests to build market share through legislation based on questionable research conclusions. NRMCA has directed its efforts at all levels to educate and inform decision-makers as to the true nature material selection in buildings.