Inflation Reduction Act programs supporting low-embodied carbon construction materials

This week the Federal Highway Administration made available $1.2 billion to states for activities and programs to advance the use of low-embodied carbon construction materials. The announcement is here.

More information on the program is here.As noted in the release, FHWA is using a hybrid approach:First, FHWA is making $1.2 billion available to states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico through a Request for Applications (RFA) to fund activities and projects that reduce pollution, including carbon emissions, through the use of low-embodied carbon materials and products.

This approach will allow FHWA to quickly provide reimbursement or incentive funds to states to begin eligible activities and incorporate low-embodied carbon materials on construction projects now. Second, later this year FHWA will also make available $800 million to target non-state applicants, including cities, Tribes, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, and other agencies through a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). This funding opportunity will encourage applicants to partner with states where appropriate and will include offers of technical assistance for applicants.ACEC recently hosted an on-line course on the transportation components of the low-carbon construction materials funding in the IRA. That course explains the roles that firms can play in State DOTs accessing and utilizing these funds.

The recording of that course is available here:Funding for Reduced-Carbon Concrete: Opportunities in Paving and Construction