Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
On July 16, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced nearly $160 million in grants to support efforts to reduce climate pollution from the manufacturing of construction materials and products. The funding is part of President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which aims to support American businesses in producing low-carbon materials.
The EPA selected 38 grant recipients across the country. These grants will help businesses measure carbon emissions associated with extracting, transporting, and manufacturing their products. According to EPA estimates, construction materials used in buildings and infrastructure contribute more than 15% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions.
The grants align with the Biden-Harris Administration’s Federal Buy Clean Initiative, leveraging the U.S. government’s purchasing power to drive demand for clean construction materials used in federal projects. Businesses, universities, and nonprofit organizations across all 50 states will benefit from this funding.
“As America continues to build more and upgrade our nation’s infrastructure under President Biden’s leadership, cleaner construction materials like concrete and steel are increasingly essential for the nation’s prosperity,” said EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe. “These historic investments will expand market access for a new generation of more climate-friendly construction materials.”
“President Biden and Vice President Harris are leading the most ambitious climate and clean energy agenda in U.S. history,” said White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized the dual benefits of job creation and pollution reduction: “I fought to include funding for urgently-needed clean construction and manufacturing initiatives... With industrial sector emissions a top culprit of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions this decade, we must do everything we can to support innovators.”
Senator Tom Carper noted that these investments would create markets for American manufacturers making cleaner materials while supporting good-paying jobs.
Senator Tina Smith highlighted that showcasing clean construction materials would open opportunities for jobs, lower energy costs, and create a cleaner environment: “The more America leads in the clean energy transition, the more our economy benefits.”
Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton expressed her support: “This new federal funding from the Environmental Protection Agency will go a long way toward reducing carbon emissions here in Virginia’s 10th District.”
Deputy EPA Administrator Janet McCabe announced the grant selections at Superior Paving in Chantilly, Virginia. Grants range from $250,000 to $10 million and aim to develop high-quality environmental product declarations (EPDs) for various material categories including both new and salvaged or reused materials.
Some notable projects include:
- A company in Georgia reporting emissions savings by using recycled components.
- A Maine company tracking energy use in wood fiber insulation processes.
- An Illinois nonprofit measuring carbon emission reductions through reused architectural materials.
- An Indiana insulation manufacturer assessing greenhouse gas emissions across its product portfolio.
- A major university documenting carbon savings from reusing structural steel.
Additionally, several projects focus on workforce development for sustainable construction professionals.
EPA also announced expanded technical assistance opportunities aimed at helping businesses measure embodied carbon through resources such as those provided by ENERGY STAR Industrial program. Robust EPD data will be further strengthened by a new label program identifying low-carbon construction materials.
Together with technical assistance programs made possible by Biden Administration's Inflation Reduction Act of 2022—providing significant investments aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions—the Federal Buy Clean Initiative includes over $2 billion allocated each to General Services Administration for federal buildings' low embodied carbon material use and Federal Highway Administration for incentivizing such use in transportation projects.
Grantees are expected to receive their funding later this summer upon completion of legal requirements.
