The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is set to invest $2 billion in over 150 construction projects across 39 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. This investment, part of the Inflation Reduction Act, focuses on low-carbon materials, known as “low-embodied carbon” (LEC) materials, supporting the Biden-Harris Administration’s Buy Clean Initiative. The initiative prioritizes the purchase of cleaner industrial materials, such as asphalt, concrete, glass, and steel, to address climate concerns.
GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan announced the investments alongside White House Senior Advisor John Podesta during an event in Topeka, Kansas. The funding aims to boost American leadership in clean manufacturing, create jobs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Specific projects include upgrading the Frank Carlson Federal Building and Courthouse with blast-resistant aluminum frames, LEC glass, and concrete pavement sidewalks.
The Inflation Reduction Act, considered the largest climate investment in history, allocated $3.375 billion for GSA to invest in federal buildings, focusing on carbon reduction and innovation through the use of LEC materials. The initiative targets carbon-intensive construction materials like asphalt, concrete, glass, and steel, which contribute significantly to U.S. manufacturing greenhouse gas emissions.
GSA identified over 150 federal government building projects prioritizing LEC materials, with allocations for asphalt, concrete, glass, and steel. The investments are expected to reduce up to 41,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions and support over 6,000 jobs annually. The projects align with President Biden’s federal sustainability goals, aiming for a net-zero emissions federal building portfolio by 2045 and net-zero emissions procurement by 2050.
The GSA projects, informed by lessons from a pilot program, align with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Interim Determination, establishing criteria for “substantially lower” greenhouse gas emissions. The announcement is hailed as a crucial step in achieving emission reduction targets and creating a market for low-carbon materials.
By FCCT Editorial Team
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