NCMA SCORES VICTORY FOR SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

Landmark Legislation directs DOD to incorporate “principles of sustainable design” and “life-cycle cost-effective practices” in military construction.

(Herndon, VA) October 21, 2008 – President Bush has signed into law the Department of Defense (DOD) authorization bill for fiscal year 2009, legislation which funds the nation’s military programs. The bill includes a major provision that addresses one of NCMA’s top legislative priorities. That particular provision requires the Secretary of Defense to incorporate principles of sustainable design and life-cycle cost-effective practices as an element in all military construction projects submitted to Congress for approval. All projects submitted by DOD elements—including the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force—will have to take into account these criteria.

By enacting this provision, Congress is validating through legislation the arguments long articulated by NCMA and the concrete masonry industry that the DOD should be utilizing construction materials that are more sustainable and cost-effective over the life cycle of the construction project. These new requirements will likely require a significant paradigm shift
on the part of the DOD in the way building materials are selected. While some military service branches have continued to favor the use of durable building materials—which provide maximum long-term sustainability and lower maintenance costs—other branches have sacrificed long-term cost-effectiveness and performance in the interest of achieving short-term
objectives.

“NCMA has continued to take the lead in working with members of the U.S. Congress to ensure that design priorities for military construction are properly realigned,” according to NCMA President Bob Thomas. “This legislation is of particular importance to NCMA members, as well as other segments of the masonry industry and members of the North American Concrete Alliance (NACA). We look forward to working with our industry partners in supporting the military service branches in the months and years ahead to fully implement these provisions.”

“From the beginning of our dialogue with Congress going back to last year, the House Armed Services Committee members and senior staff expressed a willingness to work with NCMA to address our ongoing concerns regarding the choice of building materials used to house our troops,” declared Don Foster, Chairman of NCMA’s Government Affairs Committee.

“Our legislative effort focused on the 2009 DOD authorization bill as the appropriate legislative vehicle in which to seek to incorporate the life-cycle language.”

"This statutory change is aimed at beginning the shift away from the use of less durable, less sustainable building materials in military construction projects,” continued Thomas. “Greater opportunities are expected in these projects for the use of materials such as concrete masonry, which not only have a lower life-cycle cost than other construction materials, but also provide the enhanced security and fire protection that our military personnel deserve, while accomplishing the objectives of energy conservation and sustainability required for all new government construction. This legislation will spur growth for our member companies, provide jobs within those communities hosting military bases, and enhance our industry’s role as
responsible stewards of our environment.”

About the National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA)

The National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA) is the global trade association representing the concrete masonry and hardscape industry. The Association is involved in a broad range of technical, research, education, marketing, certification, communications, and government relations activities. NCMA is an association of producers of concrete masonry and hardscape products, and suppliers of products and services related to the industry. NCMA offers a variety of technical services and design aids through publications, computer programs, slide presentations, and technical training.

Please visit

www.ncma.org for additional information.