House Committee Passes Low Carbon Asphalt Bill

Low Carbon Asphalt Bill Sent to House Floor for Debate

On March 20th the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee passed H.R. 7685, the Innovative Mitigation Partnerships for Asphalt and Concrete Technologies (IMPACT) Act, by a vote of 38 – 0.  The legislation was introduced by U.S. Congressman Max Miller (R-OH) and Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (D-NC).  The legislation will be scheduled for House debate in the very near future. 

The bill was first introduced in the House on March 15 and follows a similar bill introduced in the U.S. Senate late last year by Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) and Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC). That bill, S. 3439, would direct federal resources to accelerate research, development, demonstration, and commercialization of low-emissions concrete and asphalt technologies, including by creating a domestic market for the products.

The IMPACT Act aims to reduce emissions in the asphalt, cement, and concrete, industries through increased research, development, and innovation. This bipartisan legislation is another step towards driving down carbon emissions in the construction materials’ industry and is supported by both parties in the House of Representatives and in the U.S. Senate. 

The bill would establish a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) program for research, development, and demonstration in innovative, low-emissions asphalt and concrete.  As part of the program, the DOE would focus on materials, technologies, inputs, and processes that produce fewer GHG gases during production, use and end use of asphalt and, at the same time provide durability equal to or greater than materials currently in wide use today (e.g., aramid fiber.)

“Cement, concrete, and asphalt production practices are critically important to the industrial sector and play a fundamental role in supporting U.S. infrastructure, national defense, and economic security,” said Congressman Miller at Wednesday’s markup. “The IMPACT Act recognizes that role and will enable domestic production to reach peak efficiency for decades to come.” 

Specifically, the IMPACT Act: 

  • Enables industry and DOE to work collaboratively on fundamental research that will enhance existing production methods and unlock new innovative techniques; and 
  • Enables DOE, in consultation with other federal agencies, to offer technical assistance to entities seeking to promote the commercial application of low-emission asphalt, cement, and concrete.

 

Video of Congressman Miller’s remarks is available here.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jay Hansen joined Surface Tech following a long and distinguished career at the National Asphalt Pavement Association and in the U.S. Congress where he worked on legislation from the Intermodal Surface Transportation Act (ISTEA) in 1991, to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) in 2021. Jay will serve as an ongoing resource for Surface Tech customers to help them get ahead of the growth curve and be ready for shifting market conditions as they occur in 2023 and beyond.

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CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER

JASON MARTIN

As a leader with both creative and analytical skills, Jason oversees the planning, development, and execution of Surface Tech’s marketing and advertising strategies. He has been responsible of late for clarifying the company’s value proposition through a series of new branding executions resulting in a revamped website and other improvements in the company’s strategic marketing initiatives.

Jason brings more than 25 years of industrial design, branding, and manufacturing experience to his new role as CMO. His work has appeared in leading design publications, and he has received numerous international design awards. His portfolio includes more than 40 design and utility patents in the fields of consumer electronics, software, packaging, medical devices, and software. Speed to market, with a critical eye for detail and simplicity, is the driving force behind his multidisciplinary design process.

Jason holds a BS in Industrial Design from The Ohio State University. His previous work experience includes Nike, Proctor & Gamble, Skylab Architecture, and founder of New Studio. 

Stacie Steel

U.S. Northwest

Stacie Steel, PE, offers a depth of experience in asphalt and concrete pavements. She has provided infrastructure-related civil engineering and project management consulting services to both public and private sector clients for the past 20 years.

Stacie’s technical expertise centers around all things pavements: structural design, materials design and specifications, sustainability, life-cycle cost analyses, pavement management, preservation and rehabilitation, QA/QC, materials testing, and forensic evaluations.

Throughout her career, she has worked on paving projects for many national commercial retailers, municipalities, and airports. Stacie has proven leadership and organizational capabilities, as evidenced by earning the President’s Choice Award from the WTS Colorado Chapter early in her career. She currently serves on the WTS Puget Sound Chapter’s TransportationYOU Committee, and is dedicated to ensuring access to local outdoor recreation opportunities serving on the Board of Directors for the Lonesome Lake Preservation Group.