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WASHINGTON – "What does 'carbon neutral' mean?" It's a great question, and today the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) and American Wood Council (AWC) have launched a new web video explaining the concept – from a biomass energy users' perspective – in only 90 seconds. The video is available here: http://youtu.be/fQ0NJLxDuzg Paper and wood products manufacturing facilities use all parts of the raw material to not only manufacture products used in everyday life, but also create more than two-thirds of the energy needed to do so. Most often, this involves using manufacturing residuals and combined heat and power technology to maximize efficiency and provide tremendous greenhouse gas reduction benefits. Want to know more? Watch the video, and pass it along!

Mexico has announced the accepted use of the NHLA Kiln Dried Certificate to be an acceptable proof of treatment for the purpose of importing kiln dried hardwood lumber. On December 16, 2014 Mexico published in the Diaro Oficial (Mexico's Federal Register) a simplification of the import process for lumber. Beginning January 16, 2015 imports of lumber from the United States will no longer need a phytosanitary certificate from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to enter Mexico. Instead, a certificate from an APHIS-approved company detailing the treatment applied will by sufficient. (This change does not apply to green or wet wood.) NHLA is verifying the information in this report and preparing to implement the program at any hardwood kiln facility interested in joining the NHLA Kiln Dried Certification Program. Current members of the program should check with NHLA prior to shipping to Mexico to verify that the border officials have been notified of the change. An APHIS report Summary can be found here. Click here for more information about the NHLA KD Certification Program. Questions about this announcement or the NHLA KD Certification Program should be directed to Chief Inspector Dana Spessert at [email protected] or 901-399-7551.

Wood-Mizer LLC, the world’s leading sawmill manufacturer, introduces the LT70 Super Hydraulic sawmill – a mill that allows zero to sawing in ten seconds! Engineered to saw logs faster than ever, the SUPER70 will join Wood-Mizer’s industry leading line of portable sawmill equipment. Combining the rugged power of a 55HP diesel engine with the functionality of engine-powered hydraulics, fully-proportional joystick controls, and an enhanced operator interface, the SUPER70 is faster than ever- all at your fingertips. The compact and efficient hydraulic system integrates directly into the engine’s power for the ability to withstand rugged and mobile environments, even in harsh, below zero climates. Serious sawyers will also benefit from an increased production rating of up to 1,050 board feet per hour. To demonstrate the increased production speed of the SUPER70, Wood-Mizer Service Technician Nick Burdine proved the ability to load, clamp, and begin sawing in under ten seconds at the 2014 Paul Bunyan Show in Ohio. John Robertson, Wood-Mizer’s head sawyer and owner of Lumber Worx – a custom sawing operation in Indiana, described the new sawmill as “extremely fast and productive”. Main Features -Engine-powered hydraulic system for peak performance -40% faster head positioning and up to 50% faster bed functions -Increased 1,050 board feet per hour production rating -Enhanced operator interface for optimal control -55HP diesel power “Wood-Mizer has always been committed to constant innovation to provide the most advanced and reliable sawmills on the market,” said Wood-Mizer National Sales Manager Dave Mann. “The SUPER70 continues this dedication by offering powerful sawing faster than ever to meet the demands of portable and high production sawyers around the world.” Wood-Mizer is currently accepting orders for the new SUPER70 sawmill available for delivery early spring. As the leading manufacturer of portable band sawmills for more than 32 years, Wood-Mizer offers an extensive line of portable and industrial sawmill equipment. The company supports its equipment with legendary customer service, blades, and blade maintenance equipment. For more information about Wood-Mizer, call 800.553.0182 or visit http://www.woodmizer.com.

The new 2015 NHLA Rules for the Measurement & Inspection of Hardwood & Cypress will be mailed out later this month to all Active Category members. As we begin to put together the mailing list and prepare information for the 2015 Buyer's Guide, please take a moment to log-in to the member area of the NHLA website and review your company information - including the mailing address.

Cooper Machine Company of Wadley, Georgia is excited to announce the new stationary carriage/mobile headrig, True Lumber mill is now available in North America from MIT S.A. This exciting breakthrough in sawmill design is the perfect choice for any mill, hardwood or softwood, that requires increased production with a very small footprint. Thin kerf mills looking to increase production and scragg or low grade operators seeking an affordable way to process high profit grade lumber are just two of the most obvious applications. The True Lumber mill comes loaded with standard features like a 6” double cut band, 17.5* slant carriage, operators cab, computerized setworks, all hydraulics, 36” log diameter and lengths from 8-17’. The True Lumber is no one size fits all mill. It offers flexible options of either 4” or 8” single or double cut bands, longer lengths and a host of other options. If your operation needs more production and yield, but doesn’t have the space for a conventional carriage, look at the True Lumber.

LEESBURG, Va. – The American Wood Council is now offering a complimentary self-directed learning program on designing with wood. Courses are related to the use of traditional and engineered wood products for residential and commercial applications and are available on the AWC website. The program allows those seeking continuing education unit (CEU) credits and others wanting to learn proper wood design to work at their own pace. Users will watch a video or read a document and then answer a series of questions as a means of review and measurement for awarding CEUs. Courses and credits are processed immediately after quiz completion. "These courses can be completed from home or work, all at once, or in shorter portions," said AWC Vice President of Technology Transfer John "Buddy" Showalter. "We have long offered live webinars and customizable in-person seminars. These new self-directed courses are part of AWC's commitment to support the needs of busy building code officials and design professionals." Nine courses are currently available for CEU credit and are certified by the International Code Council and/or the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations: BCD 302 – Prescriptive Residential Wood Deck Construction Guide (DCA6 - 2012 IRC version) BCD 410-1 – International Building Code Essentials STD 315 – 2012 Wood Frame Construction Manual Changes DES 413 – Shear Wall Design DES 411A – Seismic-Resistive Design of Wood Buildings DES 420A – Wind-Resistive Design of Wood Buildings BCD 200A – Fire Protection in Wood Buildings MAT 240A – Cross Laminated Timber GB 200A – Wood and Environmental Product Declarations More courses are planned and will be added to the website on an ongoing basis. Users will need to create an AWC account or login to an existing account in order to register for courses.

The newly improved BM-2000 Hydraulic Joystick Valve manufactured by Ellison Sales, in the USA, provides improved hydraulic control with much less effort in sawmill, logging and other applications where durability and ease of maintenance is paramount. The 4-way valves provide precise metering and have proven to be consistently reliable in low-pressure pilot-operated applications for over 30 years. The BM-2000 valve features 3/8” SAE O-ring bottom ports for compact plumbing, easy service and parts and repair kits are in stock for immediate shipment. For application information, contact Ellison Sales, Inc. at (Toll-Free) 888-244-0161.

WASHINGTON - American Wood Council (AWC) President and CEO Robert Glowinski has issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) release of its proposed Accounting Framework for Biogenic CO2 Emissions. “We are encouraged that EPA has released the Accounting Framework and memo today. Based on our preliminary review, it appears EPA recognizes the carbon neutrality of biomass energy produced from wood products manufacturing residuals. “On average, approximately 75 percent of the energy AWC members use comes from residual biomass. Using manufacturing residuals takes advantage of the inherent energy available in biomass that would otherwise be lost to the atmosphere from disposal or biodegradation. Sustainably-managed forests and the products that come from them also act as carbon sinks, absorbing and sequestering atmospheric carbon that would otherwise contribute to greenhouse gas formation.”

LEESBURG, VA. – The American Wood Council's 2015 Wood-Frame Construction Manual for One- and Two-Family Dwellings (WFCM) has been approved as an American National Standard by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). WFCM is referenced in the International Code Council's 2015 International Building Code and 2015 International Residential Code (IRC). In the new WFCM, primary changes include: Tabulated spans for lumber framing members now reflect changes to design values referenced in the 2015 National Design Specification® for Wood Construction. New tables provide prescriptive wood-frame solutions for rafters and ceiling joists in response to new deflection limits for ceilings using gypsum wallboard or brittle finishes adopted in the 2015 IRC. Designers may begin using the new standard immediately, but are encouraged to seek approval from the authority having jurisdiction. "With more governmental focus being placed on 'community resiliency,' design tools such as the Wood-Frame Construction Manual become more relevant. The Manual equips designers with engineered construction methods that result in buildings better able to withstand damage and protect occupants should disaster strike," said AWC President & CEO Robert Glowinski. "Since the WFCM was first published in 1995, AWC has been providing a solution for design of wood-frame structures to resist natural disasters. Each successive edition of the standard continues to provide solutions to more severe events as required by building codes." The WFCM includes design and construction provisions for connections and wood wall, floor and roof systems. A range of structural elements are covered, including sawn lumber, structural glued laminated timber, wood structural sheathing, I-joists and trusses. The free view-only 2015 WFCM is now available in electronic format on the AWC website. Print versions of the standard are expected to be available for purchase in early 2015.

LEESBURG, VA. – The American Wood Council (AWC) has published a new Design for Code Acceptance, "Meeting Residential Energy Requirements with Wood-Frame Construction" or DCA 7. It provides ways to economically meet the residential requirements of the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) using wood framing. The guide is offered for free on the AWC website. There are four compliance methods provided in the residential provisions of the IECC, and of them, the Total UA method (TUA) is the most flexible approach. Using the TUA method, thermal performance of each building envelope assembly can be adjusted to demonstrate equivalent or better thermal performance for the entire building thermal envelope. This DCA provides a method for determining solutions that focus on the use of wood in various opaque wall configurations and through adjusting window types and other openings demonstrate compliance. Wood products are capable of providing good thermal performance and helping to meet energy requirements. The TUA method allows for balancing energy performance of individual components or assemblies with other components, as long as total building envelope energy performance is maintained. For example, improved energy performance of glazing, ceiling and floor areas can be used to reduce required opaque wall requirements, such as foam sheathing. "Constructing energy efficient buildings saves homeowners – and our nation – money in the long run," said AWC Vice President of Codes & Regulations Kenneth Bland. "As energy codes become more demanding, using wood products in the building envelope continues to be a viable step since the prescriptive construction methods presented in the new DCA 7 publication meet or exceed minimum requirements of the IECC."

High demand for exhibit space has required an expansion of the floor plan for EXPO 2015 – the 33rd Forest Products Machinery & Equipment Exposition, set for June 10-12 in Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center. The show is sponsored and conducted by the Southern Forest Products Association (SFPA). The additional space was added when 85% of the original floor plan was under contract, with interest from many other exhibitors needing large spaces still actively in the pipeline. With this expansion, EXPO 2015 is approaching some 46,000 square feet of exhibits. “A stronger market is translating into companies returning to EXPO 2015 and realizing they need a larger exhibit space,” notes SFPA exposition director Eric Gee. “Plus, the show is attracting many first-time exhibitors,” he added. To date, more than a hundred companies plan to showcase their latest machinery and services at EXPO 2015. By growing the floor plan, prime exhibit space remains available to all suppliers of the forest products industry. For more information about EXPO 2015, visit www.sfpaexpo.com. To receive a sales kit and exhibit space application, contact Eric Gee at 504/443-4464 (option 3), or e-mail him at [email protected]. Follow the show on Twitter: @forestprodexpo.

WASHINGTON – American Wood Council President and CEO Robert Glowinski has issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announcement that LEED 2009 will remain an available option for projects until Oct. 31, 2016. LEED 2009 was previously expected to be phased out in 2015. "We appreciate the effort by USGBC and LEED users to move quickly to LEEDv4, but are disappointed by the delay in phasing out LEED 2009. By USGBC's own words, LEEDv4 is more rigorous and includes important updates. LEEDv4 incorporates a more science-based approach to green building that, for the first time, recognized the contribution of wood products to positive environmental performance. "LEEDv4 credits recognize wood's favorable environmental attributes, leveling the playing field. Wood-based construction provides superior and cost-effective energy performance, and stores carbon, all of which are key elements in green building rating systems." ### The American Wood Council (AWC) is the voice of North American wood products manufacturing, representing over 75 percent of an industry that provides more than 360,000 men and women with family-wage jobs. AWC members make products that are essential to everyday life from a renewable resource that absorbs and sequesters carbon. Staff experts develop state-of-the-art engineering data, technology, and standards for wood products to assure their safe and efficient design, as well as provide information on wood design, green building, and environmental regulations. AWC also advocates for balanced government policies that affect wood products. www.awc.org | @woodcouncil