Press Release - Cement, Concrete and Asphalt Innovation gets Bipartisan, Bicameral Momentum

Washington, DC – Friday, March 14, 2024 – The bipartisan Innovative Mitigation Partnerships for Asphalt and Concrete Technologies Act (IMPACT) 2.0 introduced by U.S. Reps. Max Miller (R-OH) and Valerie Foushee (D-NC) and the Concrete and Asphalt Innovation Act (CAIA) introduced by Sens. Chris Coons (D-NE) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) will advance innovation for new and existing producers of cement, concrete and asphalt manufacturing here in the U.S.

"These bills highlight a clear consensus on the need to support American manufacturing by unlocking investments and accelerating innovation in the U.S. cement, concrete, and asphalt sectors,” said Jeremy Harrell, CEO, ClearPath Action. “CAIA and IMPACT 2.0 will support producers by streamlining regulation and providing clear market signals to bring cutting-edge technologies to market faster. This will enable the U.S. to remain a dominant leader in manufacturing and meet growing, global demand for these materials.”

Last month, Reps. Miller (R-OH) and Foushee (D-NC) reintroduced IMPACT to drive investment and RD&D in lower emissions innovation for cement, concrete and asphalt for the first time at the Department of Energy.

The full suite of bills CAIA, IMPACT and IMPACT 2.0 will:
  • Establish the first dedicated RD&D program for cement, concrete and asphalt at the Department of Energy (DOE);
  • Require the RD&D program to follow a five-year strategic plan with cost and performance targets;
  • Set up a Manufacturing USA Institute for cement and asphalt or leverage an existing Institute;
  • Create a voluntary Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) grant program to help state DOTs cut red tape by adopting performance specifications to increase the use of new materials; and
  • Authorize state DOTs to purchase innovative cement, concrete, and asphalt in advance to accelerate the commercialization of cutting-edge materials.
IMPACT is supported by Biomason, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES), Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES), Clean Air Task Force (CATF), ClearPath Action, Tire Manufacturers Association and World Resources Institute.

IMPACT 2.0 is supported by Biomason, Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC), Brimstone, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES), Clean Air Task Force (CATF), ClearPath Action, Sublime Systems, U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA), and World Resources Institute (WRI).

CAIA is supported by Biomason, Brimstone, Bipartisan Policy Center, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES), Clean Air Task Force (CATF), ClearPath Action, RMI, Sublime Systems, and the World Resources Institute (WRI).


Media Contact:
Emily Johnson
emily@clearpathaction.org
(678) 761-1864

ABOUT CLEARPATH ACTION
ClearPath Action 501(c)(4) advocates for more clean energy innovation, modernized permitting and regulatory reform, America’s global competitiveness for manufacturing, and unlocking more American resources — solutions drawn from our friends at ClearPath. Learn more at clearpathaction.org. Follow us on X: @ClearPathAction, @jharrell