Concrete and Asphalt Innovation Act of 2025

Bill Number

S. 1067

Origin Chamber

Senate

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Environmental Protection

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-03-13: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Last Updated

2026-03-24T12:48:03Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The Concrete and Asphalt Innovation Act of 2025 aims to boost the U.S. cement, concrete, asphalt binder (a sticky substance used in road paving), and asphalt mixture industries by funding research, development, testing, and practical use of cleaner production methods. These methods focus on cutting greenhouse gas emissions (gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, like carbon dioxide) and other pollutants during manufacturing, while improving industry competitiveness, job creation, and supply chain reliability through domestic production and partnerships with allies.

Key Provisions

• Definitions (Section 2): Establishes clear terms, such as "low-emissions" materials (those with significantly reduced emissions compared to standard industry averages, achieved via techniques like using low-carbon fuels, recycling waste, or capturing emissions) and "embodied greenhouse gas emissions" (total emissions from extracting, producing, transporting, and manufacturing a material, measured in carbon dioxide equivalents).

• Research and Development Program (Section 3):
• The Department of Energy (DOE) must create a program within 180 days of enactment to research, test, and apply technologies for low-emissions production.
• Focus areas include carbon capture (trapping and storing emissions), alternative materials and fuels, efficient heating methods, waste reduction, pollutant controls (e.g., sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides), and computer modeling for better designs.
• Requires a 5-year strategic plan (updated every 2 years) to guide efforts, avoid overlap with existing programs, and identify funding needs.
• Includes a demonstration initiative with up to $200 million in funding (fiscal years 2025–2029) for pilot projects, prioritizing diverse regions, technologies, and projects with private matching funds; projects end if low-emissions products become widely affordable.
• Offers technical assistance (e.g., updating building codes, environmental assessments) to help businesses adopt these technologies, with competitive applications at least yearly.
• DOE must set baseline emission levels and timelines for regional reductions, consulting industry, states, and experts.

• Manufacturing USA Institutes (Section 4):
• The Department of Commerce (via the National Institute of Standards and Technology) can establish or support two specialized institutes—one for low-emissions cement/concrete and one for asphalt binder/mixtures—using existing funds.
• These institutes will test materials for performance and emissions, provide public data, train workers, and assist states with guidance or grants (data from grants must be public).
• Selection prioritizes regional and technological diversity, private funding, and emission reductions.

• Federal Highway Administration Support (Section 5):
• Provides $15 million (fiscal years 2025–2027) for states to get reimbursements (covering extra costs of low-emissions materials in roads) and incentives (2% of project costs) in highway projects.
• Offers technical help to shift state standards to "performance-based" (focusing on results like durability rather than exact recipes) and measure emissions.
• Creates a public directory of approved low-emissions materials, with a streamlined approval process (decisions within 180 days).

• Advance Purchase Commitments (Section 6):
• Allows states to use federal highway funds for long-term contracts guaranteeing purchases of innovative, low-emissions materials that meet performance standards (e.g., stronger or more eco-friendly).
• Contracts must ensure progress toward production and include safeguards like no early payments without delivery.

• Interagency Task Force (Section 7):
• DOE leads a group with representatives from Transportation, Defense, General Services Administration, and NIST to recommend standards, testing guidelines, emission reporting rules, and incentives.
• Consults diverse stakeholders (e.g., producers, contractors, environmental experts, states) via meetings and reports to Congress every 2 years.
• Can end if low-emissions products are sufficiently available and affordable.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends Section 133 of Title 23, U.S. Code (federal highway funding rules) to explicitly allow funding for projects using innovative low-emissions materials and multi-year purchase contracts, provided they meet state performance specs (e.g., better strength or efficiency).
• Adds to Section 133(h)(6) a set-aside for such advance contracts under the Surface Transportation Program, barring payments until materials are delivered.
• Builds on but does not alter core laws like the Clean Air Act or Energy Policy Act; instead, it coordinates with existing DOE offices and EPA programs (e.g., low-carbon material labeling).

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: DOE, DOT, Commerce, Defense, and GSA gain new coordination duties and funding streams ($215 million total authorized), potentially streamlining emission reduction efforts but increasing administrative workload. States benefit from reimbursements and technical aid for infrastructure projects.
• Citizens: Could lead to cleaner air from reduced factory emissions, more durable roads/structures (lowering repair costs), and job growth in manufacturing, research, and construction—especially in rural areas. Everyday users might see higher initial material costs offset by long-term savings and environmental benefits.
• International Relations: Strengthens U.S. manufacturing edge by promoting domestic/ally production over imports, stabilizing supply chains, and influencing global standards (e.g., via DOE participation in international groups), which may aid climate diplomacy without direct trade mandates.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Industry Players: Cement, concrete, asphalt producers/distributors (e.g., ready-mix firms, aggregate suppliers); they gain R&D support, testing, and market access but must adapt to emission benchmarks.
• Government Entities: Federal agencies (DOE, DOT, etc.), states, tribes, municipalities; they receive funding/tools for greener projects and workforce training.
• Workforce and Education: Workers in construction/manufacturing benefit from upskilling programs; institutions of higher education and nonprofits participate in research.
• Environmental and Public Groups: NGOs and experts influence standards; citizens indirectly gain from emission cuts and resilient infrastructure.
• Contractors and Users: Federal/private builders get incentives for low-emissions materials; end-users (e.g., drivers, builders) see improved products.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Emphasizes voluntary incentives over mandates, reducing enforcement challenges; integrates with existing environmental laws (e.g., Clean Air Act pollutants) and procurement rules, potentially easing adoption via performance standards (which allow flexibility in how goals are met). No new regulatory burdens on private entities without opt-in.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's commerce and spending powers (Article I) to promote interstate trade and innovation; no apparent free speech, property, or federalism issues, as states retain control over standards.
• Political: Bipartisan (introduced by Sens. Coons, Tillis, Padilla, Cassidy); supports climate goals and "Buy American" policies without divisive taxes/regulations, fostering industry buy-in. Could influence future infrastructure bills by prioritizing emissions in federal spending, but termination clauses prevent indefinite programs if goals are met.

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

Sponsor

Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]

Cosponsors (3)

Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC], Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA], Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]

Recent Actions

• 2025-03-13: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
• 2025-03-13: Introduced in Senate

Bill Versions

• Concrete and Asphalt Innovation Act of 2025 — issued 2025-03-13 — PDF (47 pages)