Yesterday, FHWA announced the award of $1.2 billion to 39 state or territory DOTs under the Low Carbon Transportation Materials Discretionary Grant Program. The grants provide the departments with reimbursement and incentive funding for the to purchase American-made low-carbon construction materials and products, including asphalt, glass, steel, and concrete for use in transportation projects. According to the release, “Building transportation-related infrastructure with cleaner construction materials supports the Administration’s whole-of government approach to economic development and tackling climate change.” It adds, “The investments will support continued growth in clean American manufacturing, boosting the competitiveness of clean U.S. industries and the creation of good manufacturing jobs while reducing pollution from the production of concrete, steel, and other bedrock materials of our economy. By catalyzing demand for clean construction materials, the Program complements the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic investments to support U.S. manufacturers that are cutting industrial emissions – the source of 30% of U.S. climate pollution.”
The release includes a complete list of grant recipients and highlights the ways several states propose to use grant funds to increase the use of low-carbon materials.