Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced on Wednesday that the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is receiving approximately $31.9 million to use cleaner construction materials on federally funded projects.
The funding comes from the Inflation Reduction Act’s Low Carbon Transportation Materials Discretionary Grant Program. It supports the creation of good manufacturing jobs while reducing pollution from the production of concrete, steel and other bedrock materials.
“Investing in clean construction projects in Oregon and across the United States is a win for our health, economy, and climate,” Merkley said. “This $31.9 million federal award to ODOT will create good-paying jobs across our state and support U.S. manufacturers that are cutting climate pollution. We must continue to invest in the infrastructure of the future that will simultaneously grow our economy while fighting climate chaos.”
ODOT Director Kris Strickler says it's innovative programs like this that will help Oregon reach its reduced carbon emissions goal.
Oregon is one of 39 states receiving a total of $1.2 billion from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration.
The investment also promotes the Federal Buy Clean Initiative, which leverages the federal government’s buying power to spur demand for clean production of construction materials used in federal buildings, highways and infrastructure projects while supporting America’s workers, American manufacturing and tackling the climate crisis.
Source: Wyden.Senate.Gov, KMTR
