U.S. House advances bipartisan IMPACT Act to tackle embodied carbon in concrete

The U.S. House of Representatives has renewed its push to decarbonize some of the most emissions-intensive construction materials, passing the Innovative Mitigation Partnerships for Asphalt and Concrete Technologies (IMPACT) Act on March 25, 2025. The bill aims to establish a dedicated research program at the Department of Energy (DOE) to accelerate the development of low-emission cement, concrete, and asphalt — materials that are major contributors to global embodied carbon.

The IMPACT Act, originally introduced and passed by the House during the 118th Congress, stalled without Senate action. However, with reintroduction in the current 119th Congress as H.R. 1534, the bill has gained new traction, passing the House with broad bipartisan support (350–73) and is now pending consideration by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Addressing embodied carbon in construction at scale

Cement, concrete, and asphalt are indispensable to modern infrastructure — yet they carry significant carbon footprints. Cement alone accounts for roughly 8% of global CO₂ emissions, largely due to the carbon-intensive calcination process and fossil fuel combustion required during production. With concrete remaining the most widely used building material globally, projected demand is expected to increase steadily through mid-century.

The IMPACT Act directly targets embodied carbon — the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production, transport, and assembly of construction materials. Unlike operational carbon, embodied carbon is locked into materials at the time of construction. Reducing these impacts requires upstream interventions, which can include the development of alternative binders, the adoption of carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technologies, and the shift to low-carbon fuels.

If enacted, the legislation would establish a formal research and commercialization partnership between the DOE and the construction materials industry. It also enables the DOE to provide technical support to accelerate the deployment of emissions-reducing technologies across the sector.

Industry and policy momentum converge

The bill has attracted support from major industry organizations, including the Portland Cement Association, the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, and the National Asphalt Pavement Association. Advocates see it as an opportunity to advance U.S. manufacturing competitiveness while aligning with national and global climate targets.

“Cement, concrete, and asphalt production are critically important to the industrial sector and play a fundamental role in supporting U.S. infrastructure, national defense, and economic security”

-Representative Max Miller of Ohio

The act is seen as complementary to growing state-level Buy Clean initiatives — such as those adopted in California, New York, and Colorado — which require the use of low-embodied-carbon construction materials in public projects.

Implications for construction and manufacturing sectors

For engineers, manufacturers, and contractors, the IMPACT Act marks a signal of both regulatory and market shifts. If the Senate enacts the legislation, the resulting research and deployment program is likely to drive increased use of life-cycle assessment (LCA) and environmental product declarations (EPDs) as essential tools for demonstrating compliance and competitiveness.

As concrete and asphalt producers face growing expectations from both public and private clients to reduce embodied carbon, accurate data, consistent methodologies, and actionable insights will become increasingly necessary to secure contracts.

The bill is now pending in the Senate, where industry observers will be watching closely for signs of progress.