2021 Defense Authorization Act includes mass timber provision

The 2021 National Defense Authorization Act includes language that would encourage the U.S. Department of Defense to consider using mass timber construction on new building projects and renovations.

The bill, which recently received final passage in Congress, directs the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Agriculture to review the potential to incorporate “innovative wood products in constructing or renovating facilities owned or managed by the Department of Defense.” Congress also directed the secretaries to submit a follow-up report on the subject.

“Several military bases have already built hotels using mass timber after it passed rigorous blast testing,” according to a news release from the American Wood Council. “Further investigation into the use of innovative wood products will help jump start the use of low-carbon materials to support the military’s crucial and evolving mission.”

Several military bases have already built hotels using mass timber after it passed rigorous blast testing, the release says.