President Bush has signed into law the Department of Defense authorization bill for fiscal year 2009, legislation that funds the nation’s military programs. The bill includes a major provision that addresses one of National Concrete Masonry Association’s top legislative priorities, requiring that the Secretary of Defense incorporate principles of sustainable design and life-cycle cost-effective practices in all military construction projects submitted to Congress for approval. All projects submitted by DOD elements, which include 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 the arguments long articulated by the association and the concrete masonry industry that the DOD projects should be utilizing construction materials that are more sustainable and cost effective over the life cycle of the given construction project. These new requirements will likely require a significant change in the way building materials are selected.

“NCMA has continued to take the lead for the industry 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.

For more information, please visit www.ncma.org.