By Valerie Volcovici
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Biden administration announced on Monday a $2 billion investment in 150 federal building projects across 39 states. These projects will prioritize the use of materials that minimize carbon emissions, as part of the administration’s commitment to address climate change through government purchasing power.
The Government Services Administration (GSA) will specifically focus on purchasing asphalt, concrete, glass, and steel that are produced and disposed of with lower levels of associated greenhouse gas emissions. These materials must meet a global standard for environmental products.
“The U.S. government has a significant share of the market, particularly for concrete and asphalt. This position drives the industry to continually innovate in decarbonization efforts,” said John Podesta, senior adviser to President Joe Biden, in an interview with Reuters.
Podesta is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, which grants the GSA nearly $4 billion for investing in low-carbon buildings. He emphasized that these investments will be crucial in addressing emissions from sectors that are currently the most difficult to decarbonize.
During a visit to Topeka, Kansas, Podesta and GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan announced the $2 billion investment plan. A federal building and courthouse in Topeka will receive $25 million of these funds to undergo retrofitting, improving its energy efficiency.
Asphalt, concrete, glass, and steel are known as highly carbon-intensive construction materials. They contribute to almost half of all U.S. manufacturing greenhouse gas emissions, according to the GSA.
The administration’s goal is to achieve a net-zero emissions federal building portfolio by 2045 and net-zero emissions in government procurement by 2050.
(Reporting by Valerie Volcovici; editing by Barbara Lewis)
