EPA proposes PCR/EPD criteria to back new construction materials labeling

Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; CP staff The Environmental Protection Agency invites comments through April 4 on “Criteria for Product Category Rules (PCRs) to Support the Label Program for Low Embodied Carbon Construction Materials.” Posted here, the 30-page document offers guidelines to improve PCRs by establishing consistent data quality and transparency requirements for Environmental Product Declarations (EPD). The proposed criteria…

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AEC Daily hosts Heidelberg Materials course on sustainable concrete mixes

Heidelberg Materials North America is offering a free American Institute of Architects-accredited on-demand course, “Mastering Sustainable Concrete: On the Road to Net Zero Construction,” to demonstrate to owners, contractors, specifiers and designers how to make structural material choices that promote decarbonization. Presented at www.aecdaily.com, the one-hour course focuses on the environmental impact of carbon emissions related to concrete, including a…

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First Lady’s Texas conservation group recognizes Cemex USA

Cemex USA has been named a Texan by Nature 20 (TxN 20) honoree for the fifth consecutive year. A conservation non-profit founded by former First Lady Laura Bush, TxN recognized the cement, aggregate and concrete giant in an official ranking of the best 2023 conservation and sustainability work from Texas businesses.  Cemex is a long-standing advocate for land conservation and…

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Cement plant emissions remain micro (< 1%) factor in EPA GHG Inventory

Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; CP staff The Environmental Protection Agency’s just-published Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks cites 5.586 billion metric tons (mt) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions for 2021, a 6 percent increase over the prior year. The Inventory spans six economic sectors; the third largest, Industry, accounted for 24 percent, or 1.34 billion mt…

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EPA sets 2027 target for halving heavy duty truck NOx emissions

The Environmental Protection Agency is finalizing a program to further reduce air pollution, including ozone and particulate matter (PM), from heavy-duty engines and vehicles. Compared to current standards, its new emissions thresholds are significantly more stringent and cover a wider range of heavy-duty engine operating conditions. The final rulemaking promulgates new numeric standards and changes key provisions of the existing…

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EPA tour closes in on Clean Water Act 50th anniversary

Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; CP staff EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox recently joined agency colleagues, state and local officials to kick off the Clean Water Act 50th Anniversary celebration tour. Culminating in mid-October, it will highlight waters that are essential to healthy people, vibrant ecosystems, agricultural productivity, and economic growth, with stops including the Florida Everglades, Chesapeake…

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CalPortland, Cemex, Ozinga, PCA earn Energy Star Partner recognition

Sources: Portland Cement Association, Washington, D.C.; CP staff Four familiar names in construction materials are among 210 U.S. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency 2022 Energy Star Partner of the Year Award recipients. The 2022 Partner naming marks 18 consecutive years of such recognition for CalPortland, four years for Cemex, and three years for Ozinga and PCA.

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EPA campaign targets commercial building energy efficiency

New U.S. Environmental Protection Agency initiatives will provide policymakers and commercial building owners resources to reduce emissions from more than 6 million commercial and multifamily buildings. Through decades of partnership with EPA’s Energy Star program, private and public building owners have significantly reduced their emissions and energy costs by improving their properties’ energy efficiency and performance. Many cities and states…

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Synthetic form release agent

Company’s newest innovation for concrete forming and casting is Platinum 727, a synthetic release agent especially suited to structural members. Powered by proprietary, economical and eco-friendly Platinum technology, the low-odor agent yields superior concrete surfaces, holding even fine detail. The product complies with Environmental Protection Agency and Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines or rules for low volatile organic compound…

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EPA ‘Clean Trucks Plan’ nixes NOx, embraces zero emissions models

Sources: Environmental Protection Agency; CP staff The Environmental Protection Agency plans a 2022-24 release of rulemakings to extend the sharp reduction of heavy-duty truck emissions realized from the 2010 measure that standardized diesel particulate filter, selective catalytic reduction, and related exhaust treatment system components in on- and on/off-highway fleets. 

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