Reps. Miller, Foushee, Introduce Second Bill to Bolster Low-Emission Concrete and Asphalt Production
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Max Miller (OH-07) and U.S. Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04) 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 innovation in the industrial manufacturing sector.
Cement, concrete, and asphalt production plays a critical role in supporting U.S. infrastructure, national defense, and economic security. This legislation will create well-paying 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.
“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 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.”
“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.”
Specifically, the IMPACT Act 2.0 will:
- Establish performance-based, low-emissions transportation materials grants 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.
- Foster 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).
“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,” said ClearPath Action CEO Jeremy Harrell.
“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,” said Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) Vice President for Policy and Outreach Brad Townsend.
“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,” said Sublime Systems, Inc. Vice President of Business Development and Policy Joe Hicken.
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. Max Miller and Valerie Foushee. 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.
Editor’s note regarding Congressman Miller:
Congressman Max Miller represents Ohio’s Seventh District which includes Medina and Wayne counties as well as parts of Cuyahoga and Holmes counties. Miller serves on the House Agriculture Committee and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for which he is also Chairman of the Environment Subcommittee. The Republican freshmen members selected Miller as their representative to the Republican Steering Committee. He is a member of the Republican Study Committee, Main Street Caucus, and the Congressional Jewish Caucus. Before joining Congress, Miller spent six years in the Marine Corps Reserves and served in several senior positions for President Donald Trump. Please visit http://maxmiller.house.gov for more information.
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