WASHINGTON, DC (July 30, 2024) — Last week, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04) and Congressman Max Miller (OH-07) introduced H.R. 9136, the IMPACT Act 2.0, bipartisan legislation that aims to boost American innovation and manufacturing in low-emissions concrete, cement, and asphalt production and advance decarbonization in the industrial manufacturing sector.
Concrete, cement, and asphalt production plays a critical role in supporting U.S. infrastructure, national defense, and economic security. However, concrete facilities account for 8% of worldwide carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to roughly one-third of all power plant emissions, and the global demand for cement is only expected to increase by an estimated 12% through 2050. This legislation will create good-paying clean American jobs and enhance the competitiveness of American manufacturing, while ensuring continuing innovation and long-term emissions reductions as we improve the sustainability of our nation’s infrastructure.
“Our country is leading the way into the 21st century, and it is critical that we make significant and measurable greenhouse gas emissions reductions as we re-energize and invigorate our nation’s infrastructure,” said Congresswoman Valerie Foushee. “I’m proud to join Rep. Miller in introducing the IMPACT Act 2.0, which will bolster efforts to decarbonize and modernize the industrial sector, enhance the competitiveness of American innovation and manufacturing, increase our economic growth, and advance our capabilities as a nation. We must take meaningful steps now that will reduce pollution in the concrete, cement, and asphalt production processes, and this bipartisan bill will bring us closer to achieving our goals for a cleaner and more sustainable planet.”
“America has become over-reliant on foreign imports of materials like concrete, cement, and asphalt—the building blocks of much of our society,” said Congressman Max Miller. “I’m proud to support this legislation to reinvigorate and expand American industry and production capacity, and of course, create jobs. America makes things cleaner and better than anywhere else in the word, and this legislation will help us to do more of that.”
Specifically, the IMPACT Act 2.0 will:
- Establish performance-based, low-emissions transportation materials grants of $15 million through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to facilitate the purchase of low-emissions concrete and asphalt goods and incentivize states to improve state-level specifications and standards.
- Ensure continuing innovation and long-term emissions reductions in the cement, concrete, and asphalt production process by authorizing the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary to make advance purchase commitments (APC).
- Create an interagency task force on concrete and asphalt innovation between the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The IMPACT Act 2.0 is endorsed by: Biomason, Brimstone, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES), Clean Air Task Force (CATF), ClearPath Action, Decarbonized Cement and Concrete Alliance (DC2), Sierra Club, Sublime Systems, and World Resources Institute (WRI).
“Biomason is excited to see the introduction of this legislation and the growing support for low-carbon concrete.” – Camilo Restrepo, CEO of Biomason, which is based in North Carolina and uses biotechnology to manufacture low-carbon concrete.
“The IMPACT Act 2.0 would accelerate the commercialization of solutions that could eliminate the 7.5% of global carbon emissions from the cement industry — and reinforce US leadership in the clean industry of the 21st Century. This crucial legislation would authorize the Department of Transportation to commit to purchasing ultra-low carbon cement years in advance–unlocking financing to scale up production of the most transformational solutions, create jobs in the United States, and deliver a pipeline of industrial materials needed to meet the U.S. industrial and climate goals. Brimstone applauds the bipartisan leadership from Representatives Foushee and Miller in championing this bill.” – Simon Brandler, VP of Policy & Public Affairs, Brimstone
“As demand – and climate ambition – grows across global markets for concrete, cement and asphalt, domestic producers have a tremendous opportunity to grow their market share. Importantly, early markets signals will be key to justify investments necessary to support that long-term competitiveness, unlocking innovation and creating jobs in these important industries. The IMPACT Act 2.0 provides crucial support for continued U.S. leadership in the production of construction materials, while also reducing emissions and creating jobs.” – Brad Townsend, Vice President, Policy and Outreach, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES)
“If the U.S. is going to achieve its climate goals, it’s going to need to cut emissions from the industrial sector — including from concrete, cement, and asphalt. Fortunately, there are promising solutions that will allow us to do this while improving air quality and creating good jobs. This legislation, along with the IMPACT Act, would support research, development, and demonstration of carbon management technologies, alongside additional innovative technologies, and ensure continued innovation and long-term emissions reductions by establishing performance-based transportation materials grants and authorizing the U.S. DOT to make advance purchase commitments for low-emissions asphalt, concrete, and cement materials. Clean Air Task Force commends Representatives Foushee and Miller for their leadership. Together, they’ve brought the U.S. one step closer to decarbonizing its industrial sector.” – Conrad Schneider, Senior Director, U.S. at Clean Air Task Force
“IMPACT 2.0 will support American manufacturing by unlocking investments and accelerating innovation in cement, concrete, and asphalt. This bill will support producers by streamlining regulation and providing clear market signals to bring innovative clean technologies to market faster. ClearPath Action is excited to support Reps. Max Miller and Valerie Foushee on this bipartisan legislation to strengthen American competitiveness, supporting both the economy and the environment.” – Jeremy Harrell, CEO, ClearPath Action
“The IMPACT Act 2.0 marks a legislative watershed in the decarbonization and modernization of American industry. In March, Sierra Club proudly endorsed Reps. Foushee and Miller’s IMPACT Act, which passed unanimously out of the House Science Committee. We call on committees of jurisdiction to markup 2.0, upon the House’s return from recess, to advance and protect the market for competitive homegrown breakthroughs in the clean manufacture of premium asphalt, concrete, and cement products.” – Harry Manin, Deputy Legislative Director for Industrial Policy & Trade, Sierra Club
“More American jobs, more American innovation, it’s a no brainer. Sublime Systems applauds Representatives Valerie Foushee (D-NC) and Max Miller (R-OH) for their leadership, introducing legislation that ensures our States and transportation agencies have access to the low-carbon products unlocked by our transition to the clean energy economy.” – Joe Hicken, Vice President of Business Development and Policy at Sublime Systems, Inc. a company commercializing ultra low carbon cement manufacturing technology.
“This legislation would pave the way for American industries to innovate the foundational materials of our construction industry — concrete and asphalt — toward lowering emissions while strengthening our workforce and reducing costs. The IMPACT Act 2.0, along with the IMPACT Act and the Concrete and Asphalt [Innovation]Act, are a legislative package that will incentivize and support both producers and consumers of low-emission, American-made construction materials while benefiting the communities in which they are produced. The bipartisan introduction of this bill by Representative Max Miller from Ohio and Representative Valerie Foushee from North Carolina is an important step. Now we encourage members of Congress to continue leading the way in building a green, innovative and robust American industry.” – Angela Anderson, Director of Industrial Decarbonization and Carbon Removal, U.S. Climate, World Resources Institute
The IMPACT Act 2.0 is a complement to the Innovative Mitigation Partnerships for Asphalt and Concrete Technologies (IMPACT) Act, introduced in March 2024 by Reps. Valerie Foushee and Max Miller. The IMPACT Act unanimously passed by a vote of 38 – 0 in the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology markup on March 20, 2024.
The full bill text of H.R. 9136, the IMPACT Act 2.0 is available here.