IMPACT Act

Bill Number: H.R. 1534
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Science, Technology, Communications
Status: Passed House
Latest Action: 2025-03-26: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Last Updated: 2026-07-10T20:23:20Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The IMPACT Act aims to boost the competitiveness of U.S. industry by funding research, development, demonstration, and commercial use of advanced technologies that make cement, concrete, and asphalt production more efficient and lower in emissions. It focuses on reducing greenhouse gases (gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to climate change) while improving product quality, resource use, and job creation in domestic manufacturing.

Key Provisions

Program Establishment: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) must create a program within 180 days of enactment to advance "low-emissions" cement, concrete, and asphalt—products that cut greenhouse gas and related pollutant emissions compared to standard versions. This includes research on cost-effective, durable, and resource-efficient production methods.
Definitions: Key terms include:
Advanced production: Improvements in cost, quality, durability, or efficiency over standard methods.
Alternative fuels: Non-traditional materials (solid, liquid, or gas) to replace fossil fuels in production.
Eligible entities: Universities, government agencies, nonprofits, private companies, or partnerships.
Engineering performance-based standard: Rules focused on end results (e.g., strength) rather than exact recipes or processes.
Rural area: Defined under existing farm law as less populated regions.
Requirements for Implementation:
Coordinate with other DOE offices (e.g., Office of Science, Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy) and related laws on industrial tech.
Use DOE's existing research tools like supercomputers and labs.
Develop a 5-year strategic plan within 180 days, submitted to Congress, with goals for emissions reductions, supply chain stability, and jobs; update every 2 years.
Focus Areas for Research:
Carbon capture tech (e.g., separating CO2 during production via methods like oxycombustion or chemical looping).
Low-emission materials and processes that match or exceed standard product performance.
Clean heat sources (e.g., renewable energy, electrification, alternative fuels).
Efficiency improvements (e.g., recycling waste, life cycle assessments—which evaluate environmental impact from start to end use).
Sensors for monitoring performance, retrofits for existing plants, data sharing standards, and basic chemistry research on new materials.
Demonstration Projects:
DOE, with partners like the Departments of Transportation and Commerce, must support real-world tests of single or combined technologies.
Select projects competitively, prioritizing diversity (regional, technological, rural involvement), emissions reductions, and non-federal funding matches.
Report progress to Congress every 2 years; assess terminated projects for lessons learned.
End demos if low-emissions products become widely available at competitive prices.
Technical Assistance:
DOE provides help to eligible entities for activities like updating building codes, environmental impact studies, permitting, testing, or economic assessments.
Applications are competitive and annual; regional centers may be set up for code updates.
Coordination and Oversight:
Partner with Manufacturing USA (a network of industry research institutes) and agencies like Defense, Transportation, and Environmental Protection.
Program sunsets (ends) after 7 years.
Follow research security rules to protect sensitive info; does not change DOE's authority on environmental standards.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill amends the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (2021) by adding a new section (40523) to its research subtitle, creating the program from scratch. It also updates the act's table of contents. No other laws are directly altered, but it requires integration with existing DOE programs on clean energy and manufacturing.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: DOE gains new responsibilities for coordination, planning, and funding, potentially straining resources but leveraging existing infrastructure. Other agencies (e.g., Transportation, Commerce) must collaborate on demos and assistance, fostering inter-agency work on emissions and infrastructure.
Citizens: Could lead to cleaner air from reduced industrial emissions, more durable roads/structures (benefiting infrastructure users), and job growth in manufacturing and research. Rural areas may see targeted economic boosts through project diversity.
International Relations: Enhances U.S. supply chains by promoting domestic production and "nearshoring" (shifting operations closer to home), plus cooperation with allies on tech sharing, potentially strengthening trade ties in green materials while reducing reliance on foreign imports.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Industry and Businesses: Cement, concrete, and asphalt producers benefit from R&D funding, retrofits, and market access for low-emissions products; private entities can apply as eligible partners.
Research Institutions: Universities, nonprofits, national labs, and federal research centers receive grants for innovation and demos.
Government Entities: DOE leads implementation; other agencies (e.g., EPA for permitting, NIST for standards) provide support; rural governments may gain from regional projects.
Workers and Communities: Domestic job creation in advanced manufacturing; rural and diverse regions prioritized for economic stability.
Standards Organizations: Involved in updating codes to performance-based rules, affecting building and environmental regulations.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Emphasizes voluntary tech adoption without mandating new environmental rules, preserving DOE's existing regulatory powers. Includes safeguards for research security under federal innovation laws, ensuring protection against foreign risks.
Constitutional: No direct challenges; aligns with Congress's commerce and spending powers to promote industry and environment. Temporary 7-year sunset limits long-term commitments.
Political: Supports bipartisan goals of economic competitiveness, climate action, and infrastructure resilience without controversial mandates. Could influence future green tech policies by demonstrating federal-private partnerships, but funding details (not specified here) may spark budget debates.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Miller, Max L. [R-OH-7]

Cosponsors (1)

Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4]

Recent Actions

2025-03-26: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
2025-03-25: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2025-03-25: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 350 - 73 (Roll no. 74). (text: 3/24/2025 CR H1209-1211) (Roll call 74)
2025-03-25: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 350 - 73 (Roll no. 74). (text: 3/24/2025 CR H1209-1211) (Roll call 74)
2025-03-25: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1239)
2025-03-24: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
2025-03-24: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1534.
2025-03-24: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1209-1212)
2025-03-24: Mr. Babin moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
2025-02-24: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
2025-02-24: Introduced in House
2025-02-24: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Innovative Mitigation Partnerships for Asphalt and Concrete Technologies Act — issued 2025-03-25 — PDF (18 pages)
Innovative Mitigation Partnerships for Asphalt and Concrete Technologies Act — issued 2025-02-24 — PDF (17 pages)
Innovative Mitigation Partnerships for Asphalt and Concrete Technologies Act — issued 2025-03-26 — PDF (17 pages)