Two Upstate New York Colleges are receiving grant funding from the US Environmental Protection Agency to reduce climate pollution from the manufacturing of construction materials.
“As America continues to build more and thrive under President Biden’s leadership, cleaner construction materials like concrete and steel are increasingly essential for the nation’s prosperity,” said EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe. “These historic investments will expand market access for a new generation of more climate-friendly construction materials, and further grow American jobs that are paving the way to the clean energy economy.”
The EPA states that Cornell University has been awarded $2,499,999 to address gaps and challenges in the deconstruction-to-reuse value chain by convening experts across academia, industry, and nonprofit organizations. The university will work with Urban Machine, Finger Lakes ReUse, and Build Reuse to develop Salvage EPD, a process and template that will act as a product catalogue for salvaged materials.
Rochester Institute of Technology will receive $1,298,635. RIT’s Golisano Institute for Sustainability seeks to improve data related to the environmental impact of the production of construction materials, specifically those utilizing post-consumer waste. Through technical assistance and comprehensive life cycle assessments, RIT aims to reduce landfill waste, conserve natural resources, lower embodied carbon, and promote a more circular economy.
The EPA estimates that over 15% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions come from construction materials used in buildings and other built infrastructure.
“As we face the challenges of climate change, it is crucial to innovate and invest in sustainable practices,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “These grants will support businesses and institutions in our Region as they lead the way in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from construction materials and help build a cleaner, more resilient future for all our communities.”
Other grant recipients include Pioneer Millworks, HOLCIM US, Inc, Heidelberg Materials US, Inc, and Oklahoma State University.
Funding for the grants comes from the President’s Inflation Reduction Act.
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