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Cheat Sheet
August 6, 2026
US Forest Service Announces Wood Innovation Grants: On August 5th, the US Forest Service announced the distribution of $105.5 million in Wood Innovation Grants (WIG) for 177 projects that advance innovative uses of wood, increases wood construction, expands wood energy markets and strengthens forest products processing capacity. A significant number of hardwood companies and associations received funding for projects ranging from developing improved markets to improving sawmill capacity. A complete list of recipients is available here.
The Hardwood Federation is a long time advocate for continued and increased funding of the WIG program and will continue our efforts to ensure continued opportunities for the US hardwood industry.
Farm Bill Senate Action…Maybe: Today the Senate Agriculture Committee voted in favor of moving Farm Bill language, but as Federation contacts noted, “in a move that even left Senate procedure nerds scratching (their) heads,” the bill was not reported out of Committee, leaving it in limbo. Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozeman (R-AR) indicated that they will revisit the bill upon returning to Washington, which most likely means after the August recess.
The “sort of passed” Senate version of the Farm Bill includes all Hardwood Federation priorities including Wood Innovation and Community Wood Energy grants, Biomass carbon neutrality, biofuel programs, and funding for forest inventory and analysis.
EUDR Legislation Introduced: On July 23, Representative Craig Goldman (R-TX-12) and 8 original cosponsors introduced H.R. 9892, the Stop EU Overreach Act. This legislation would direct the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to launch a Section 301 investigation under the Trade Act of 1974 into the European Union. The bill specifically directs USTR to consider whether the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D), Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the EU’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) constitute unreasonable or discriminatory trade practices burdening U.S. commerce.
The legislation is not bipartisan at this point and its path forward in the House is unclear. However, introduction of this measure highlights the attention EU regulatory overreach is receiving in Congress. Unless another one-year delay is approved, the EUDR is currently scheduled to take effect on December 31, 2026.
A press release from Rep. Goldman is available here. The press release includes a link to the legislative text.
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