In addition to the emphasis on planting trees, the Republican climate package is expected to include provisions allowing for use of biomass as an alternative fuel and incentives for sustainable buildings. NRMCA has worked with the sponsor of the legislation, Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR), to achieve a “materials neutral” stance – and received assurances that the legislation will not favor one construction material over another. Rep. Westerman’s bill will create incentives for sustainable construction, including carbon absorbing materials. HIs staff has indicated that concrete would be considered a sustainable and carbon absorbing material within the scope of the legislation. This will create opportunities to promote concrete and concrete construction systems, such as ICF construction, as a climate solution. The devil is in the details, however, and NRMCA Government Affairs team will be closely following the progress of these proposals and remain in contact with the sponsors.
For more information, contact Andrew Tyrrell at atyrrell@nrmca.org.
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association