FHWA Opens Applications for $1.2 Billion to Decrease Air Pollution from Transportation

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has launched the Low Carbon Transportation Materials Program. The program is aimed at lowering air pollution, specifically greenhouse gas emissions, through reimbursement and incentive funding for low-carbon construction materials and products used in transportation. The program will make $2 billion available from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act for State Departments of Transportation, Tribes, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, and other agencies to buy materials that create less pollution, including steel, concrete, and asphalt.

“Transportation and industrial sectors make up about half of our economy’s emissions contributing to climate change, but today, the Biden-Harris Administration takes another important step to change that,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “As we modernize America’s infrastructure through President Biden’s infrastructure law, we’re proud to announce this first-of-its-kind program to accelerate the use of cleaner construction materials that create less carbon pollution.”

“The Biden-Harris Administration is working to deliver transportation to the American people that is both good for the environment and the economy, which means a better quality of life for everyone,” said Deputy U.S. Transportation Secretary Polly Trottenberg. “Under the Inflation Reduction Act, this investment will unlock a wave of innovation in the materials and processes that will dramatically reduce carbon emissions in the transportation sector while promoting American manufacturing.”

FHWA is making $1.2 billion available to states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico through a Request for Applications to fund activities and projects that reduce pollution, including carbon emissions, through the use of low-embodied carbon materials and products. Later this year, FHWA will also make available $800 million to target non-state applicants, including cities, Tribes, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, and other agencies through a Notice of Funding Opportunity. This funding opportunity will encourage applicants to partner with states where appropriate and will include offers of technical assistance for applicants.

“To achieve our goal of addressing climate change, we must encourage investment in more sustainable transportation,” said Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt. “The use of lower-carbon materials, which match the durability of conventional materials while lowering pollution, is one pathway that will help us achieve President Biden’s goal of net zero emissions by 2050.”