HR 83 — 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.

PRINTER'S NO.   685

                  THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



           HOUSE RESOLUTION
              No. 83
                                              Session of
                                                2025

     INTRODUCED BY WEBSTER, PROBST, HOHENSTEIN, HILL-EVANS, SANCHEZ,
        KHAN, MAYES AND D. WILLIAMS, FEBRUARY 20, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE
        PROTECTION, FEBRUARY 20, 2025


                               A RESOLUTION
 1   Directing the Joint State Government Commission to study and
 2      issue a report on the feasibility and implementation of
 3      methods and criteria for expanding construction requirements
 4      to use more sustainable building products in State-funded and
 5      private construction projects.
 6      WHEREAS, The effects of climate change and global warming
 7   threaten human well-being and planetary health; and
 8      WHEREAS, Greenhouse gas emissions are and continue to be the
 9   primary contributor to global warming; and
10      WHEREAS, The United States is the second-largest emitter of
11   greenhouse gas emissions, with a total share of 11.13% of global
12   emissions; and
13      WHEREAS, The United States has pledged to achieve net-zero
14   emissions no later than 2050 in order to mitigate the effects of
15   climate change; and
16      WHEREAS, In 2023, the United States, as a member of the
17   United Nations Industrial Deep Decarbonization Initiative,
18   pledged to adopt commitments to procure low-emission steel,
19   cement and concrete and to set emissions reduction thresholds to
 1   achieve net zero emissions in public buildings and built
 2   infrastructure by 2050; and
 3      WHEREAS, Building and construction contributes 37% of global
 4   emissions for greenhouse gases; and
 5      WHEREAS, Materials such as steel, concrete, asphalt and flat
 6   glass contain high quantities of greenhouse gas emissions due to
 7   the energy-intensive processes used to extract the raw materials
 8   for these products; and
 9      WHEREAS, It is estimated that 75% of global urban
10   infrastructure that will exist in 2050 has yet to be
11   constructed; and
12      WHEREAS, Global emissions can be cut by 70% to 80% through
13   the use of alternative production materials, industrializing
14   cement use and optimizing building design; and
15      WHEREAS, Pennsylvania, as a leader in energy in the United
16   States, emits nearly 1% of global emissions; and
17      WHEREAS, The largest emitter of greenhouse gas emissions in
18   Pennsylvania is the industrial sector, specifically industries
19   in cement manufacturing and iron and steel production; and
20      WHEREAS, As part of the Pennsylvania Priority Climate Action
21   Plan and its goal of industrial decarbonization, the Department
22   of Environmental Protection plans to support State level buy-
23   clean initiatives to help grow demand for low-carbon
24   construction materials in steel and cement; and
25      WHEREAS, There are many options for sustainable building
26   materials such as aerated concrete, recycled steel and glass,
27   reclaimed wood, straw bale, cork, rammed earth, earth blocks and
28   bamboo; and
29      WHEREAS, It is important to understand which sustainable
30   building materials would be suitable for infrastructure in

20250HR0083PN0685                  - 2 -
 1   Pennsylvania; therefore be it
 2      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
 3   State Government Commission to study and issue a report on the
 4   feasibility and implementation of methods and criteria for
 5   expanding construction requirements to use more sustainable
 6   building products in State-funded and private construction
 7   projects, and the projected direct and indirect cost savings or
 8   increases for the requirements if adopted; and be it further
 9      RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission issue a
10   report of its findings to the Environmental and Natural Resource
11   Protection Committee of the House of Representatives, the
12   Housing and Community Development Committee of the House of
13   Representatives and the Labor and Industry Committee of the
14   House of Representatives within 180 days of the adoption of this
15   resolution.




20250HR0083PN0685                    - 3 -