Concrete and Asphalt Innovation Act of 2025

This bill aims to strengthen U.S. competitiveness in cement, concrete, asphalt binder, and asphalt mixture production by funding research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of technologies that reduce emissions from these materials. It establishes programs, institutes, grants, and a task force to support low-emissions production and use.

Sec. 2, Definitions: Defines key terms used in the bill, including alternative fuels, baseline embodied greenhouse gas emissions, commercially available, eligible entities, embodied greenhouse gas emissions, engineering performance standards, environmental product declarations, and low-emissions cement, concrete, asphalt binder, or asphalt mixture.

Sec. 3, Low-Emissions Cement, Concrete, Asphalt Binder, and Asphalt Mixture Production Research Program: Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a research, development, demonstration, and commercial application program within 180 days. The program focuses on carbon capture, alternative materials, and medium- and high-temperature heat-generation technologies to reduce emissions and increase domestic production and employment.

Sec. 4, Low-Emissions Concrete and Low-Emissions Asphalt Manufacturing USA Institutes: Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to establish or support up to two Manufacturing USA institutes, one for low-emissions cement and concrete, one for low-emissions asphalt binder and mixtures. These institutes will develop testing, workforce training, and embodied greenhouse gas emissions quantification.

Sec. 5, Federal Highway Administration: Directs the Federal Highway Administration to provide states with reimbursement for the additional cost of using low-emissions materials in highway projects, incentives equal to 2% of the cost, and technical assistance for updating specifications and benchmarking emissions. Authorizes $15 million for fiscal years 2025 through 2027. Also requires a publicly available directory of eligible low-emissions materials.

Sec. 6, Advance Purchase Commitment Program: Amends title 23 of the U.S. Code to allow states to use federal highway funds for projects using innovative, domestically produced cement, concrete, asphalt binder, or asphalt mixture, including through advance multiyear contracts with specific requirements on cancellation provisions, payment terms, and progress demonstrations.

Sec. 7, Interagency Task Force for Concrete and Asphalt Innovation: Establishes a task force with members from the Departments of Energy, Transportation, Defense, General Services Administration, and National Institute of Standards and Technology. The task force will recommend engineering performance standards, testing guidelines, and environmental product declaration improvements, and consult with industry stakeholders.