FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, April 19, 2024
Contact: Hannah Lee Flath, hannahlee.flath@sierraclub.org, 860-634-0225
State Representative Diane Blair-Sherlock and Sierra Club Respond to House Passage of “Buy Clean” Standards for State Building Projects
SPRINGFIELD, IL -- Today, the Illinois State House passed HB3141, which directs state agencies to develop climate conscious standards for the purchase of building materials for use in state-funded infrastructure projects. The initiative, which is dubbed “Buy Clean,” will establish a maximum acceptable Global Warming Potential (GWP) for purchases on infrastructure projects to encourage investments in companies that use clean processes to produce goods.
“Illinois has led the way on climate and clean energy policy, and we can also show leadership in how we build our infrastructure. ‘Buy Clean’ standards will help us invest in the future of our state while also taking us one step further toward achieving our carbon reduction goals,” said Sierra Club Illinois Director Jack Darin. “Facilities that produce iron, steel, cement, and aluminum are foundational industries in our economy, but are challenging to decarbonize and produce a range of adverse environmental and health impacts. When Illinois buys clean materials, we ensure that taxpayers’ dollars will support Illinois businesses producing these products in ways that reduce pollution and create jobs. We urge the Senate to approve this legislation this Spring."
"Illinois is a leader on climate action, and setting standards for the building materials we use in state construction projects allows us to utilize our purchasing power to support businesses producing high quality, low carbon products," said State Representative Diane Blair-Sherlock, the chief sponsor of HB3141. "I'm pleased to work with the Illinois Department of Transportation, Central Management Services, and the Capital Development Board on this plan for setting standards for sustainability in Illinois infrastructure projects."