Energy Efficiency, GHG Emissions, Industrial  -  November 8, 2023

GSA Allocates $2 Billion to Decarbonize Buildings

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced a $2 billion investment for over 150 construction projects that use cleaner construction materials, known as “low-embodied carbon” (LEC) materials.

The funding will support projects across 39 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and will catalyze the market for American-made, low-carbon asphalt, concrete, glass and steel. 

The announcement includes progress for the Biden-Harris Administration’s Buy Clean Initiative, where the federal government is prioritizing the purchase of asphalt, concrete, glass and steel that have lower levels of GHG emissions associated with their production, use and disposal.

GSA has identified over 150 federal government buildings projects that will prioritize the procurement of LEC materials. This includes:

• $384 million for asphalt,
• $767 million for concrete,
• $464 million for glass and
• $388 million for steel.

“Today’s announcement shows how the Biden-Harris Administration is delivering on our commitment to use the federal government’s buying power to strengthen American leadership in clean manufacturing and jobs,” said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan in a statement. “By incorporating clean construction materials in more than 150 projects across the country, we're helping create good-paying jobs in the clean manufacturing industries of the future and sending a clear signal that the homegrown market for these sustainable products is here to stay.”

The array of investments include facade and window replacements, structural repairs, repaving projects, and seismic upgrades in buildings ranging from the historic Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House in New York City to the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building in Seattle, to land ports of entry across the northern and southern borders. Through the life of the projects, these investments are estimated to reduce up to 41,000 metric tons of GHG emissions.