GSA Announces $388M for Clean Steel Projects

The money will be used for government projects in 39 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, and will utilize American-made materials. Approximately $388 million of the investment is slated for steel.

“While we’re very pleased to see the GSA make this announcement, we want to make sure these projects use the cleanest steel available,” Philip K. Bell, president of the Steel Manufacturers Association, said on a call to SMU.

Bell noted that the use of an environmental product declaration (EPD) could be used to show eligibility for any Buy Clean program. However, there was no indication on the GSA announcement that EPDs would be required.

“It’s important to note that for these projects to have the dual benefit of creating jobs and improving our infrastructure, they also need to improve our environment,” Bell said. “The only way to do that is by our government procuring steel with substantially lower emission profiles.”

The Inflation Reduction Act provided ~$3.38 billion for the GSA to invest and use low embodied carbon (LEC) materials. Steel, asphalt, concrete, and glass are among the materials that will be prioritized.

“AISI and our member companies strongly support policies that recognize and further incentivize the production, purchase, and use of materials made with lower levels of greenhouse gas emissions,” American and Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) president Kevin Dempsey said in an email to SMU.

“AISI has worked with the Biden administration to ensure that Buy Clean policies and projects, such as those announced by GSA earlier this week, recognize the American steel industry’s global leadership in producing steel with lower carbon intensity,” said Dempsey.

A list of the LEC projects that will receive the funding can be found here.

The GSA is an independent agency of the government providing centralized procurement and shared services for the federal government.