Biden Administration Takes Steps To Reduce Emissions From Industrial Sector
On February 15, the White House Council on Environmental Quality and Office of Domestic Climate Policy revealed an initiative that will promote government procurement of industrial materials made with lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Specifically, the new Buy Clean Task Force will ensure steel, aluminum, and other construction materials bought by the federal government are manufactured in a way that produces fewer emissions. The Task Force also pledged to help manufacturers better report emissions data and to create pilot projects that will increase federal procurement of clean construction materials.
The Task Force is part of a broader initiative to reduce industrial sector emissions. The White House also said last week that:
- The Biden administration will support carbon-based trade policies to reward U.S. manufacturers of clean steel and aluminum. Specifically, the White House will work with the European Union to align global trade with climate goals, which will “keep out dirty products and result in more jobs and lower prices for Americans.”
- The Council on Environmental Quality will issue new guidance on responsible deployment of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Sequestration (CCUS) technologies that can reduce emissions from heavy industry. The White House said the guidance “will support CCUS projects that create union jobs and protect communities from cumulative pollution impacts.”
Read more about the Biden administration’s plans here.