WWW.ACPA.ORG 11 FALL // 2024 CARBON TRANSPORTATION MATERIALS 3. Federal lands transportation facilities; and 4. Federal lands access facilities. In addition, LCTM funds are not subject to any restriction or limitation on the total amount of funds available for implementation or execution of programs authorized for federal-aid highways.8 Program funds cannot be used for projects that result in additional through travel lanes for single occupant passenger vehicles.9 Concrete Industry Application As detailed in recent ACPA issues, there have been significant advances in “green” concrete technology. The further advancement of this technology could unlock huge LCTM dollars for projects in the future. This will require bidders to pay close attention when reviewing project plans and specifications pre-bid on any mix requirements and accounting for the cost and/or supply ramifications for the bid. Are these technologies more expensive? Will it be a more limited supply chain that could lead to project delays? All of this must be considered upfront before bidding. If there is a supply issue, pre-bid questions should be submitted to the engineer outlining the issue and asking if a time extension will be considered. Bidders should not “buy the risk” by assuming they can change order their way out of delays and extra costs post-bid. In Summary Because greenhouse gas emissions will continue to be a point of emphasis for the EPA and other governmental agencies, grant programs such as the LCTM will continue to allow opportunities for companies who produce low emission products and the companies that build them. The LCTM program includes a goal of promoting technology transfer and enhancing the workforce development to increase the use and adoption of environmental quantification techniques used in decision-making by transportation agencies. This can lead to great opportunity but also great risk in the bidding process. Bidders should be aware of the requirements and take them into account when bidding on a project. References: 1. United States Environmental Protection Agency, “Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions,” 2024: https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sourcesgreenhouse-gas-emissions 2. 23 U.S.C. § 179 3. 23 U.S.C. § 179 (c)(3) 4. U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), “Low-Carbon Transportation Materials Grants Program,” 2024: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/lowcarbon/ 5. United States Environmental Protection Agency, “Interim Determination on Low Carbon Materials under IRA 60503 and 60506,” 2022: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/ documents/2023-01/2022.12.22%20Interim%20 Determination%20on%20Low%20Carbon%20 Materials%20under%20IRA%2060503%20and%20 60506_508.pdf 6. 23 U.S.C. § 179 (c)(2) 7. 23 U.S.C. § 179 (b)(4)(A) 8. 23 U.S.C.§ 179 (b)(4)(B) 9. 23 U.S.C. § 179 (b)(4)(C)
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy Nzc3ODM=