WASHINGTON REPORT
WASHINGTON REPORT —Continued from page 49 laid off workers at a slower rate than in any year between the start of the data series in 2000 and 2020. “Broadly, there are two factors shaping the interaction between construction worker supply and demand,” said ABC chief economist Anirban Basu. “There are structural factors, including outsized retirement levels, mega projects in several private and public construction segments and cultural factors that encourage too few young people to enter the skilled construction trades. There are also structural factors, including those related to interest rates, consumer sentiment and general economic performance." More than one-in-five construction workers are 55 or older, meaning that retirement will continue to contract the industry’s workforce. "These are the most experienced workers, and their departures are especially concerning," Basu noted. AWC And AF&PA Respond To EPA’s PM NAAQS Rule The American Wood Council (AWC) President and CEO Jackson Morrill and American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock recently responded to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement of an updated National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM2.5), which lowers the standard to 9 µg/m3. “EPA’s rule delivers a devastating blow to U.S. manufacturing and the economy while doing nothing to address the largest sources of particulate matter, including wildfire smoke. This unworkable air rule undermines President Biden's promise to grow and reshore manufacturing jobs. We are very concerned that many of the modernization projects in the paper and wood products industry and across U.S. manufacturing will no longer be able to move forward." "The new rule defies common sense. This Administration has set the PM2.5 NAAQS at near background levels, ensuring permit gridlock for most manufacturing sectors around the country, while failing to address the 84 percent of overall PM2.5 emissions. Essential projects that would reduce greenhouse gas and other emissions, create high paying jobs and allow us to compete in the global economy are now severely at risk. Our industry has demonstrated a continued commitment to be a good steward and community partner. We need sustainable regulation to make environmental progress and keep vital manufacturing jobs in America." “AF&PA and AWC joined leaders from over 70 other U.S. manufacturing and trade groups urging the Administration to maintain the existing standard. We also delivered a joint CEO letter to White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients signed by 44 of our members from the paper and wood products industry. These letters reflect the importance of this issue not only for our industry but for the economic prosperity of America. The EPA must immediately reconsider the PM NAAQS and set a 3-year effective date. We want to work with the Biden Administration on a practical implementation plan that avoids some of the worst impacts on this unsustainable rule." The American Wood Council (AWC) represents 87 percent of the structural wood products industry and the more than 450,000 men and women working family-wage jobs in mills across the country. From dimension lumber to engineered wood products, AWC champions the development of data, technology, and standards to ensure the best use of wood products and recognition of their unique sustainability and carbon-reduction benefits. AWC is among leaders in providing education to the design, code and fire official communities who view AWC as a trusted and credible resource. Learn more at www.awc.org. The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance U.S. paper and wood products manufacturers through fact-based public policy and marketplace advocacy. The forest products industry is circular by nature. AF&PA member companies make essential products from renewable and recyclable resources, generate renewable bioenergy and are committed to continuous improvement through the industry’s sustainability initiative — Better Practices, Better Planet 2030: Sustainable Products for a Sustainable Future. The forest products industry accounts for approximately 5 percent of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufactures about 0 billion in products annually and employs about 925,000 people. The industry meets a payroll of about billion annually and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 43 states. Learn more at www.afandpa.org. • MILLER LUMBER —Continued from page 5 Owner Alan Walters is pictured with wife, Anna Walters, who is holding Wise Walters, and Fairly Walters. “We carry all of your Pine and Spruce materials, plywood, OSB, treated lumber, Cedar, Cypress, pattern Pine material,” Walters explained. “Our main focus is our treated materials, hard-to-find Cedar, Cypress and pattern Pine.” Miller Lumber Sales, LLC stocks a full line of standard Western Red Cedar products including 2x4, 2x6, 2x8, 1x4 - 1x12 in No. 2 appearance grade along with other specialty Cedar products upon request. Western Red Cedar products are primarily procured from the West Coast and the Pacific Northwest regions. Annually, Miller Lumber purchases a total of about 10 million board feet, as well Owner Alan Walters’ daughter, Fairly, helps out around the office. Continued on page 52 Woodway is America’s #1 Lattice and so much more. Committed to making quality products with excellence in mind. The Woodway brand has been working with distributors, dealers and trade professionals since 1980. You need Lumber Blue Book Find New Customers or Suppliers With a searchable database of over 23,000 lumber companies, finding your next trading partner is fast and simple. Lumber Blue Book is your go-to resource for profitable leads. Get Predictive Credit Scores Ever wish you could predict the likelihood of negative credit events like defaults and delinquent payments? Fueled by over billion of industry-specific Accounts Receivable data each year, Blue Book Scores deliver just that. MADE IN USA MANUFACTURED BY BOWERS FOREST PRODUCTS sales@woodwayproducts.com | (503) 631-4408 First Class Customer Service with Integrity Visit www.woodwayproducts.com to learn more about all our products for home and garden. LEARN MORE at lumberbluebook.com or call us at 630-668-3500 Page 50 Softwood Forest Products Buyer • March/April 2024 Softwood Forest Products Buyer • March/April 2024 Page 51
