The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will provide 38 grant recipients with nearly $160 million to support efforts to report and reduce climate pollution from the manufacturing of construction materials and products.
The grants will be awarded to businesses, universities, and nonprofit organizations to help disclose the environmental impacts associated with manufacturing concrete, asphalt, glass, steel, wood, and other materials. The grants will support the Federal Buy Clean Initiative, which leverages the U.S. government’s position as the largest purchaser on Earth to catalyze demand for clean construction materials used in federal buildings, highways, and infrastructure projects.
Ranging from $250,000 to $10 million, the grants will help businesses develop environmental product declarations (EPDs) that show environmental impacts across the life of a product and can catalyze more sustainable purchasing decisions by allowing buyers to compare products. Investments in data and tools will make high-quality EPDs available for 14 material categories, which include both new and salvaged or reused materials.
Grant recipients include:
• A company in Georgia that will report the emissions savings gained by switching from higher-carbon components in cement and concrete to recycled and innovative materials.
• A company in Maine that manufactures insulation made from wood fiber will track the quantity of energy and raw materials used in each of their processes.
• A nonprofit organization in Illinois that sells reused architectural materials will measure how much the salvaged materials reduce carbon emissions.
• A large insulation manufacturer based in Indiana will use grant funding to measure and report greenhouse gas emissions for their full product portfolio.
• A major university will use grant funds to research and document carbon emissions savings from reusing structural steel.
Related Stories
| Apr 17, 2012
FMI report examines federal construction trends
Given the rapid transformations occurring in the federal construction sector, FMI examines the key forces accelerating these changes, as well as their effect on the industry.
| Apr 16, 2012
University of Michigan study seeks to create efficient building design
The result, the researchers say, could be technologies capable of cutting the carbon footprint created by the huge power demands buildings place on the nation’s electrical grid.
| Apr 3, 2012
Product Solutions
Two new PV systems; a lighter shelf; and fire alarm/emergency communication system.
| Apr 3, 2012
Luxury hotel 'groundscraper' planned in abandoned quarry
Would you spend $300 a night to sleep underground? You might, once you see the designs for China's latest hotel project.
| Apr 3, 2012
Educational facilities see long-term benefits of fiber cement cladding
Illumination Series panels made for a trouble-free, quick installation at a cost-effective price. The design for Red Hawk Elementary School stems from the desire to create a vibrant place for kids to learn. In an effort to achieve this design, RB+B Architects selected Nichiha USA to provide a durable yet modern, contemporary exterior finish.
| Mar 22, 2012
Hawaiian architecture firm chooses FRP trellis system over traditional materials
MGA Architecture plans to add five more trellis systems on the neighboring building.
