PRINTER'S NO. 3550
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
505
Session of
2024
INTRODUCED BY WEBSTER, GIRAL, HILL-EVANS, RABB, SCHLOSSBERG,
SANCHEZ, HOHENSTEIN, OTTEN, DONAHUE, KHAN, GUENST AND DALEY,
JULY 30, 2024
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND INDUSTRY, JULY 30, 2024
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to study and
issue a report on the feasibility and implementation of
methods and criteria for expanding construction requirements
to use more sustainable building products in State-funded and
private construction projects.
WHEREAS, The effects of climate change and global warming
threaten human well-being and planetary health; and
WHEREAS, Greenhouse gas emissions are and continue to be the
primary contributor to global warming; and
WHEREAS, The United States is the second largest emitter of
greenhouse gas emissions, with a total share of 11.13% of global
emissions; and
WHEREAS, The United States has pledged to achieve net-zero
emissions no later than 2050 in order to mitigate the effects of
climate change; and
WHEREAS, In 2023, the United States, as a member of the
United Nation's Industrial Deep Decarbonization Initiative,
pledged to adopt commitments to procure low-emission steel,
cement and concrete and to set emissions reduction thresholds to
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achieve net zero emissions in public buildings and built
infrastructure by 2050; and
WHEREAS, Building and construction contributes 37% of global
emissions for greenhouse gases; and
WHEREAS, Materials such as steel, concrete, asphalt and flat
glass contain high quantities of greenhouse gas emissions due to
the energy-intensive processes used to extract the raw materials
for these products; and
WHEREAS, It is estimated that 75% of global urban
infrastructure that will exist in 2050 has yet to be
constructed; and
WHEREAS, Global emissions can be cut by 70% to 80% through
the use of alternative production materials, industrializing
cement use and optimizing building design; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania, as a leader in energy in the United
States, emits nearly 1% of global emissions; and
WHEREAS, The largest emitter of greenhouse gas emissions in
Pennsylvania is the industrial sector, specifically industries
in cement manufacturing, iron and steel production; and
WHEREAS, As part of the Pennsylvania Priority Climate Action
Plan and its goal of industrial decarbonization, the Department
of Environmental Protection plans to support State level buy-
clean initiatives to help grow demand for low-carbon
construction materials in steel and cement; and
WHEREAS, There are many options for sustainable building
materials such as aerated concrete, recycled steel and glass,
reclaimed wood, straw bale, cork, rammed earth, earth blocks and
bamboo; and
WHEREAS, It is important to understand which sustainable
building materials would be suitable for infrastructure in
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Pennsylvania; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
State Government Commission to study and issue a report on the
feasibility and implementation of methods and criteria for
expanding construction requirements to use more sustainable
building products in State-funded and private construction
projects, and the projected direct and indirect cost savings or
increases for the requirements if adopted; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission issue a
report of its findings to the Environmental Resources and Energy
Committee of the House of Representatives, the Housing and
Community Development Committee of the House of Representatives
and the Labor and Industry Committee of the House of
Representatives within 180 days of the adoption of this
resolution.
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