Ten companies aiming to lower carbon dioxide emissions tied to cement production and finished concrete have launched a first-of-its-kind, U.S. coalition dedicated to growing awareness around policies that will accelerate the adoption of CO2-wise solutions in public construction. Founding Decarbonized Cement and Concrete Alliance (DC2) members are commercializing technologies that a) offer organic or inorganic alternatives for full or partial…
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American Concrete Pavement Association honors federal agencies, lawmaker
The American Concrete Pavement Association has named recipients of its annual awards for individuals, organizations and agencies in transportation engineering, construction, education and funding program advocacy, plus those excelling in concrete pavement promotion. Sustainable Practices Recognition Award. Presented annually to an organization demonstrating leadership by implementing sustainable design and construction practices that consider societal, environmental, and economic factors. This year’s…
Read MoreDepartment of Energy supports Cat C13 hydrogen-hybrid R&D
With partial U.S. Department of Energy backing, Caterpillar Inc. has launched a three-year project to demonstrate an advanced hydrogen-hybrid power solution built on its new C13D engine platform. The company aims to prove how advanced control systems and electric-hybrid components can help hydrogen fueled engines meet or exceed traditional diesel engines’ power density and transient performance. Caterpillar will serve as…
Read More“EPD on Demand” tool arms aggregate producers for Buy Clean
Tennessee-based life cycle assessment and environmental product declaration services provider WAP Sustainability has launched Theta EPD for Aggregates with National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association support. The first tool of its kind programmed specifically for North American producers, Theta Aggregate builds on WAP’s expertise in LCA and EPD generation software for ready mixed concrete, concrete pipe, cement and slag. The…
Read MoreCTS Cement helps EPA-backed Hydrova prove aluminum recycling
The Environmental Protection Agency recently announced a $400,000 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program Phase II grant enabling Santa Ana, Calif.-based Hydrova Inc. to advance work on black dross—a material frequently landfilled after primary aluminum recycling—for applications including cement clinker raw feed. Themed “Complete Resource Recovery and Hydrogen Production from Secondary Aluminum Processing Waste,” the grant extends a $100,000 Phase…
Read MoreFHWA publishes portland limestone cement benchmark
The Federal Highway Administration’s new TechNote on Portland Limestone Cement (FHWA-HRT-23-104) provides state highway agencies, contractors and concrete practitioners information enabling broader adoption of a blended binder to which cement plants across North America are migrating. The 12-page document reviews the history of PLC in the U.S.; chemical and physical requirements for a binder combining portland cement + 5-15 percent…
Read MoreInstitute revises Federal Acquisition Regulation, Design-Build references
The Design-Build Institute of America has updated its Design-Build Done Right Federal Sector Best Practices, offering a comprehensive guide for teams navigating the intricacies of federal project delivery. Understanding the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and adhering to the right practices can be the key to a successful design-build project, DBIA contends, and the revised Best Practices document provides such guidance.…
Read MoreAfinitas’ Duncan succeeds County Materials-bound CEO Schmidgall
Afinitas CEO Brad Schmidgall will shift from concrete plant equipment and accessories to ready mixed and manufactured concrete production in January, taking the helm of County Materials Corp. As CEO of the Marathon, Wis.-based producer, he will oversee a portfolio spanning concrete pipe and precast operations that Afinitas has equipped under his tenure. “Serving as the CEO of Afinitas and…
Read MoreABC, Texas chapter seek federal court relief from Davis-Bacon rule rewrite
An Associated Builders and Contractors and the ABC Southeast Texas lawsuit asks the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Beaumont Division to vacate the Department of Labor’s Updating the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts Regulations (DBA) rule, implemented in October and applicable to federal or federally assisted construction projects. Plaintiffs challenge the new rule’s prevailing wage definition, wage…
Read MoreGSA backs low embodied carbon material spec commitment
The General Services Administration has released a list of more than 150 federal building construction or upgrade projects across 39 states and District of Columbia where low embodied carbon (LEC) material specifications will be supported by $2 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funding. Contract language will favor LEC material use, net estimated deliveries totaling: The funding advances the Buy Clean…
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