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 INDUSTRY NEWS
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Lumber Liquidators' Stock Plummets
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stand corrected. The CDC issued a revised report on the test results of laminate flooring from Lumber Liquidators. The risk of cancer, says the agency, is 3 times that stated in the original report. As a result of the news, Lumber Liquidators' stock dropped below $11 per share.
Source: Bangor Daily News, CBS News, NanoNews, Bidness Etc, February 29; Daily Herald, February 26; Associated Press, February 22; CBS News, February 21, 2016. Watch the video at CBS News.
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ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS
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Ash Borer Devastates Colorado
The Colorado State Forest Service reports that the emerald ash borer “has the potential to be the most devastating insect Colorado’s urban forests have ever seen” and could cost $82 million worth of damage in Denver alone. Approximately 15% of the state's urban and community forests are ash. The destructive pest was first identified in Michigan in 2002.
Source: See video at The Denver Post, February 18, 2016.
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REGULATORY NEWS
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Sierra Club Sues EPA - Again
The Sierra Club and several environmental groups have sued the EPA for missing the statutory July 15, 2012 deadline for the Plywood and Composite Wood Products MACT standard. Next, the plaintiffs and the EPA will need to agree to a schedule for the rulemakings. After this, the EPA may need to survey the industry, assess risks and review changes in control technologies, propose and then finalize a rule.
Source: HPVA®, American Wood Council, February 26, 2016.
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ECONOMIC TRENDS
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Cyberforests Track Climate Change
Researchers at Washington State University have designed simulated forests to track climate change and more. “Each [virtual] leaf competes for sunlight, while beneath the virtual earth, the organisms’ roots compete for water resources,” states Gizmag. Forest managers can use the complex software to determine which trees and what other factors will best help forests recover after wildfires or other catastrophic events.
Source: EcoBuilding Pulse, February 29, 2016.
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ASSOCIATION NEWS
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HPVA® Conference Fuels Growth
Register now for the 95th HPVA® Annual Meeting in New Orleans on May 15-17! This year, it's all about growth. Our keynote, Adrienne Slack of the Federal Reserve, will give us the inside scoop on monetary policy and what to expect from the global economy.
Also featured: Greg Lewis, FEA, will discuss the economic outlook for the forest products sector; Peter Pfeiffer, AIA award-winning architect, will provide insights on marketing wood as a green building product in the context of today’s design trends; Virginia Tech's Randy Wynne will describe how new advanced satellite imaging of forests can impact your business.
Add in golf, jazz brunch on a steamboat, a classic streetcar ride, and dinner at the World War II museum - we've got all we need for great networking and a good time. Bring on The Big Easy!
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HPVA® MEMBER NEWS
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Craftsman’s Challenge Names Judges
Veneer Tech has chosen: this year's Craftsman's Challenge judges include Marc Adams of the Marc Adams School of Woodworking; Bill Esler, editorial director of Woodworking Network; and Bob Nurre of Roseburg Forest Products. Enter your creative veneer project by June 1!
Source: Woodworking Network, February 25, 2016. See slideshow of last year's winners. Photo © Carpintaria Carlos Alberto.
McEver Retires From Commonwealth
Ron McEver, Commonwealth Plywood's West Coast representative since 1985, will retire on July 1. Ron was instrumental in building strong relationships for the business.
Danzer Sales Up 9.5% In 2015
Greater demand for deck layers for hardwood flooring helped drive Danzer's growth.
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NEWS BRIEFS
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Bat May Cause Construction Delay
Schools in Loudoun County, Virginia will be forced to delay construction if hibernating northern long-eared bats are found nearby.
Source: WTOP News, February 29, 2016. Photo © Andrew King, USFWS.
Will EPA's Clean Water Rule Stand?
By a vote of 2-1, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals will decide on the EPA's WOTUS rule.
Source: ICMA, February 25, 2016.
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Construction Faces Labor Shortage
While millennials are the largest labor force in the U.S., less than 1/3 of construction workers are 34 or younger.
Source: Construction Dive, February 29; Builder, February 24, 2016. Builder, November 24; U.S. Census, October 16; Pew Research Center, May 11, 2015. Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 25, 2014.
New Home Sales Drop 9%
The West saw the steepest dive - 32% - as new U.S. home sales dropped in January.
Source: Construction Dive, February 24, 2016.
Townhouse Construction Up 18%
NAHB reports 86,000 townhouse starts in 2015.
Source: Construction Dive, February 19, 2016.
Weyerhaeuser Completes Merger
Shareholders of Weyerhaeuser and Plum Creek Timber approved the merger.
Source: Yahoo! Finance, February 19, 2016.
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NAHB's David Crowe Talks Retirement
A frequent speaker at HPVA® events, David Crowe, the NAHB’s chief economist for 27 years, will retire on March 18.
Source: Construction Dive, February 19, 2016.
6 Megatrends Driven By Tech
Gensler's 6 design megatrends start with how consumers integrate digital into their daily lives and end with a focus on health and safety.
Source: Construction Dive, February 24, 2016.
Engineered Hardwoods Bashed
The Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers tout the advantages of solid wood over engineered wood products.
Source: Woodworking Network, February 20, 2016; Chemical Reviews, April 14, 2010; Ecobind, May 1997.
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Send Us Your Company News, Ideas For Articles, And More
We are always looking for great stories, news about your company, and interesting multimedia. We also welcome feedback on this week's content and suggestions for topics you would like to see in upcoming HPVA® eNews. Email us at innovate@hpva.org.
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