New York has adopted mandatory rules establishing emissions limits on concrete used in state-funded public building and transportation projects. The mandatory rules reaffirm the state’s commitment to environmental sustainability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in government operations. The guidelines also support Governor Hochul’s “Leading by Example” Executive Order 22, under which state agencies are required to collect New York-specific data from common construction materials, including concrete, which will be used to set lower limits on greenhouse gas emissions from concrete, starting in 2027.
“Adopting Buy Clean Concrete guidelines marks a monumental step in our journey towards a more sustainable and eco-friendly New York State,” Governor Hochul said. “By setting mandatory emissions limits on concrete used in state-funded projects, we’re not just leading by example but creating a tangible roadmap for reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the board.”
Starting January 1, 2025, EPDs must be submitted for all concrete mixes used in qualifying state construction projects and must demonstrate that they achieve an environmental impact below the limits set by New York State. These EPDs will provide transparency and a more robust accounting of a concrete mix’s greenhouse gas emissions and enable state agencies and other stakeholders to make more informed choices in reducing emissions. The State is working towards providing concrete producers with the technical assistance they need to meet the EPD requirements.
The Buy Clean Concrete guidelines apply to state agency contracts exceeding $1 million that involve the use of more than 50 cubic yards of concrete, or Department of Transportation contracts exceeding $3 million that include at least 200 cubic yards of concrete. The guidelines include exceptions for emergency projects and those requiring high-strength or quick-cure concrete and do not apply to state authorities.
Embodied carbon refers to the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the the full lifecycle of concrete — from the extraction of raw materials and transportation to installation and disposal. Data on a construction material or product’s lifecycle-related environmental impact is available through a report called an Environmental Product Declaration (“EPD”) and enable comparison of environmental impacts across concrete mixes. New York’s groundbreaking Buy Clean Concrete guidelines are the first to implement greenhouse gas emission limits covering all state agency projects.
