Pallone Announces $27.85M to Make NJ Transportation Projects Greener with Low-Carbon Materials

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr., Ranking Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee and a key architect of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), announced today that the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) will receive $27.85 million through the Low-Carbon Transportation Materials Grants Program created by the IRA. This funding, disbursed by the Federal Highway Administration, will help implement low-carbon materials on federal-aid construction projects throughout the state.

"This funding exemplifies how the Inflation Reduction Act is driving progress in New Jersey and beyond," said Pallone. "By incorporating low-carbon materials in our transportation infrastructure, we are reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing environmental standards, and fostering a more sustainable future. As one of the primary authors of the IRA, I am committed to ensuring that New Jersey benefits from innovative programs like this one."

The grant will help NJDOT create processes to identify, approve, and use low-carbon construction materials. This involves figuring out which materials qualify and are available, setting clear lower carbon standards, and updating guidelines to promote eco-friendly construction methods.

The Low-Carbon Transportation Materials Program, established under the IRA, underscores a national effort to reduce embodied greenhouse gas emissions in construction projects. The program is designed to help state agencies, metropolitan planning organizations, local governments, and other stakeholders enhance sustainability practices and promote the adoption of low-carbon materials while maintaining engineering standards and performance.