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On Jan. 26, 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) solicited public input to inform two new Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) programs creating standards and labeling for construction materials that have “substantially lower levels of embodied greenhouse gas emissions.” Section 60112 of the IRA appropriates $250 million for grants and technical assistance to manufacturers, States, Indian Tribes, and nonprofits for activities related to “measuring, reporting, and steadily reducing the quantity of embodied carbon of construction materials and products.” Section 60116 appropriates an additional $100 million for EPA to work with the Federal Highway Administration and the General Services Administration to identify and label “lower-embodied carbon” construction materials used in highway construction and federal buildings.

EPA will hold three webinars in March and April to receive input from stakeholders:

  • March 2, 2023 – Reducing Embodied Greenhouse Gas Emissions Prioritization and Environmental Data Improvement
  • March 22, 2023 – Reducing Embodied Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Grants and Technical for Environmental Product Declarations
  • April 19, 2023 – Reducing Embodied Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Carbon Labeling

Written comments are due May 1, 2023, and should respond to questions in a Request for Information document found in the EPA docket (EPA-HQ-OPPT-2022-0924).

Photo of Steven Barringer Steven Barringer

Steven Barringer is a member of GT’s Environmental and Government Law and Policy practice groups. Steve has a unique practice that combines substantive environmental law knowledge with deep government law and policy experience. He began his career as an attorney-adviser and Special Assistant

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Steven Barringer is a member of GT’s Environmental and Government Law and Policy practice groups. Steve has a unique practice that combines substantive environmental law knowledge with deep government law and policy experience. He began his career as an attorney-adviser and Special Assistant to the Solicitor at the Department of Interior. In private practice, Steve has represented industry clients in numerous EPA rulemakings, and defended clients in enforcement actions brought by EPA and states. He has advised companies regarding compliance with federal and state environmental laws. Steve has represented parties involved at major Superfund sites – including several of the largest Superfund sites in the United States – both in remediation settlement negotiations and cost-recovery actions. He has advised clients on international treaty obligations applicable to the transboundary movement of mercury and other hazardous wastes, and has managed local counsel examining environmental laws in Central America and Europe applicable to the transboundary movement of such wastes.

Steve’s broad experience representing environmental clients led to his work on government law and policy matters. He has interacted with federal and state regulators on numerous rule-makings and policy developments. He advises clients regarding federal legislative and agency strategy, including use of the appropriations process to achieve policy goals. Steve served on an EPA advisory committee examining federal hazardous waste regulations, and was selected by the House Energy and Commerce Committee to represent industry stakeholders in negotiations to develop consensus amendments to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. He led an industry group advocating for reform of the federal mining laws. Representing industry clients, Steve has worked together with nongovernmental organizations to secure federal legislation banning the export of mercury from the United States.

Steve has been recognized by Who’s Who Legal as one of the top environmental practitioners representing the mining industry. One client described him as “absolutely the best.” He speaks and publishes on environmental legal and policy topics.

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Photo of Robert Mangas Robert Mangas

Rob Mangas focuses his practice on advocacy before the U.S. Congress and federal agencies. He represents clients in a variety of different industry sectors, and is experienced in navigating U.S. House and Senate Rules and in legislative drafting.

Read more about Robert Mangas