The California legislature has a big opportunity to cut greenhouse gas emissions from one of the world’s most carbon-intensive products — concrete.
It’s critical that we address this sector to both meet our aggressive emission reduction goals and, as California has done on many other fronts in the battle against climate change, to serve as a global model for climate action. As the world’s fifth-largest economy, the state’s power of the purse is a potent tool.
The Biden Administration has already acted to reduce emissions from concrete. In late March, the General Services Administration it will immediately require federal contractors to use low-carbon concrete in the agency’s major projects. This includes projects funded through the bipartisan infrastructure bill, such as $3.4 billion to modernize 26 land ports of entry along the U.S. borders with Canada and Mexico. The GSA oversees a whopping $75 billion in federal contracts annually.
California needs to jump on board. SB 778 is sponsored by NRDC and supported by a variety of environmental and business organizations including The Climate Center, the American Institute of Architects CA, Graniterock, the California Construction and Industrial Materials Association, Union of Concerned Scientists, SF Bay Physicians for Social Responsibility, and Environmental Entrepreneurs , to name a few.
The last provision is critical. Under decades-old specifications still in place, minimum amounts of Portland cement, by far the most carbon-intensive ingredient of concrete, are routinely still required as proxies for strength and durability criteria. The production of cement accounts for 80-90% of concrete’s embedded GHG emissions.
SB 778 would create strong market signals for the cement industry to reduce its carbon intensity, and California cement manufacturers. The new GSA mandate for federal projects shows where the concrete industry is headed, and it’s time for California to show its climate action leadership in this critical piece of low-carbon infrastructure. The legislature should add concrete to the Buy Clean program and pass SB 778 as soon as possible.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Don’t ‘pick up any folded money’: The bill could be deadly, Tennessee sheriff warnsThe Giles County Sheriff's department said the folded money may contain deadly drugs.
Read more »
Virginia General Assembly abandons Commanders stadium billThe General Assembly is abandoning for the year legislation intended to lure the Washington Commanders to Virginia.
Read more »
Democratic governor defends vetoing bill requiring EV charging stations in Colorado: 'Last thing we need'Colorado Gov. Jared Polis defended his decision to veto a bill that would require commercial and multifamily buildings to install electric vehicle charging stations.
Read more »
Mayor Harrell vetoes bill requiring landlords to submit data on rental ratesIf passed, it would’ve added reporting requirements related to rent and rental housing information, such as prices and square footage, to the existing Rental Registration Inspection Ordinance.
Read more »
Fast-food workers push for bill to govern wages, working conditionsTeresa Molina says she receives minimal pay and reduced hours at her McDonald’s location in The City and that management keeps asking her to perform faster and faster. “They treat us like robots.'
Read more »