1. United States
2. N.J.
3. Letter

We request that House Bill 2122, which aims to enhance the competitiveness of the cement, concrete, asphalt binder, and asphalt mixture industries while reducing emissions, be expanded to include research, development, and adoption of sustainable alternatives. Cement production accounts for approximately 8% of global CO₂ emissions, making it a major contributor to climate change (CBS News, 2023). Extracting raw materials for cement leads to habitat destruction, biodiversity loss, and soil degradation. Asphalt, derived from petroleum, contributes to urban heat islands and emits volatile organic compounds (VOCs), impacting air quality (Ecoraster, 2023). Several eco-friendly alternatives can reduce the environmental footprint of construction materials: Hempcrete: Made from hemp fibers, lime, and water, hempcrete is lightweight, insulative, and absorbs CO₂ during curing, making it carbon-negative (Morrison, 2023). Ashcrete: Utilizes fly ash, a byproduct of coal combustion, reducing the demand for new raw materials and lowering CO₂ emissions (Morrison, 2023). Ferrock: Composed of recycled steel dust and silica, ferrock repurposes waste while absorbing CO₂ during curing, making it a carbon-negative alternative (Morrison, 2023). Permeable Pavers: Made from recycled materials, these pavers allow water infiltration, reducing stormwater runoff and promoting groundwater recharge (Rubcorp, 2024). Amend H.R. 2122 to: 1. Fund Research and Development: Support studies and pilot programs for sustainable materials. 2. Incentivize Adoption: Provide tax credits or grants for infrastructure projects using sustainable alternatives. 3. Establish Standards and Certifications: Develop guidelines ensuring quality and market adoption. 4. Increase Public Awareness: Educate industry professionals and the public on eco-friendly materials. References CBS News. (2023, May 15). Cement industry accounts for about 8% of CO₂ emissions. Retrieved from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cement-industry-co2-emissions-climate-change-brimstone/ Ecoraster. (2023). Understanding asphalt surfaces and their environmental impact. Retrieved from https://ecorastergrid.com/understanding-asphalt-surfaces-and-their-environmental-impact/ Morrison, R. (2023, June 5). Six sustainable alternatives to traditional concrete. Renewable Energy Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.renewableenergymagazine.com/rose-morrison/six-sustainable-alternatives-to-traditional-concrete-and-20230605 Rubcorp. (2024, November 4). Innovative alternatives to traditional pavement materials. Retrieved from https://www.rubcorp.com/alternative-pavement-materials/ https://dl-rapidbot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/attachments/1/c05d/cb51/c05dcb51-f19e-4e14-af85-ff01916f9503.php