The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has made a significant announcement, unveiling a $2 billion investment in over 150 construction projects that prioritize the use of cleaner construction materials known as “low-embodied carbon” (LEC) materials. This initiative is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s “Investing in America” agenda. The funding will be allocated to projects spanning 39 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, with the goal of promoting the adoption of American-made low-carbon asphalt, concrete, glass, and steel.
The investment, facilitated through the Inflation Reduction Act, seeks to expand the United States’ industrial capacity for manufacturing eco-friendly goods and materials, address the climate crisis, and generate well-paying jobs in communities nationwide. This announcement is aligned with the Biden-Harris Administration’s Buy Clean Initiative, which prioritizes the purchase of asphalt, concrete, glass, and steel with reduced greenhouse gas emissions throughout their production, use, and disposal.
Administrator Robin Carnahan made the investment announcement while visiting Topeka, Kansas, alongside White House Senior Advisor John Podesta as part of the “Investing in Rural America Event Series.” As part of this initiative, GSA plans to invest around $25 million in LEC construction materials to enhance the Frank Carlson Federal Building and Courthouse, reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing efficiency, safety, and comfort. This includes replacing windows and doors with blast-resistant aluminum frames and insulated LEC glass, along with upgrading concrete pavement sidewalks and parking areas with LEC concrete for sustainability and accessibility. The project is scheduled to be designed this fiscal year, with construction planned for 2025.
The Inflation Reduction Act, the largest climate investment in history, has allocated $3.375 billion to GSA to invest in federal buildings, reducing carbon emissions, and driving innovation, primarily by acquiring and installing LEC materials for construction projects. This initiative targets some of the most carbon-intensive construction materials, including asphalt, concrete, glass, and steel, which are responsible for a significant portion of U.S. manufacturing greenhouse gas emissions and are commonly used in government infrastructure investments. By promoting the use of LEC materials, these investments aim to strengthen America’s industrial base, foster innovation, and spur job growth in industries producing next-generation materials.
GSA has identified more than 150 federal government building projects that will prioritize the procurement of LEC materials, covering areas such as asphalt, concrete, glass, and steel. These projects will encompass a range of improvements, including facade and window replacements, structural repairs, repaving projects, and seismic upgrades in various buildings, as well as land ports of entry along the northern and southern borders. Over the life of these projects, it is estimated that they will reduce up to 41,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions and annually support over 6,000 jobs.
These projects represent a significant stride toward realizing President Biden’s federal sustainability objectives, including achieving a net-zero emissions federal building portfolio by 2045 and net-zero emissions procurement by 2050, while simultaneously promoting American construction and manufacturing jobs.