‘Trillion Trees’ Lawmaker Tweaks Bill to Aid Construction Sector

The Republican author of a measure backed by President Donald Trump as part of an environmental push to plant 1 trillion trees is recasting it as a job-creation package to help the construction industry and other hard-hit sectors.

Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) said he would broaden the Trillion Trees Act (H.R. 5859) from its current focus on planting and conserving forests to include incentives for homeowners and homebuilders to use low-carbon building materials, energy-efficient appliances, and more insulation.

Westerman in an interview said the coronavirus pandemic forced him and other members of Congress to focus on massive legislative ...