Presentation on the state perspective on Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) delivered by Jeremy Peterson-Self of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) at the CalAPA EPD workshop on Oct. 25, 2023 in Sacramento.

1. Materials Engineering and Testing Services
Agency Perspective
on EPD's: Caltrans
Jeremy Peterson-Self
Representing Materials
Engineering and Testing Services

2. Materials Engineering and Testing Services
Agenda
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• Global Warming Potential
• Caltrans Mission & Strategic Plan
• Buy Clean California Act & Caltrans Implementation
• Importance of EPDs; Caltrans Perspective
• How EPDs Will Help Address Climate Goals
• FHWA Programs We’re Engaging
• Takeaways/Questions

3. Materials Engineering and Testing Services
Global Warming Potential
“The various greenhouse gases (GHGs) produced when
manufacturing a product… can be represented by an
equivalent amount of carbon dioxide... This amount is known
as the global warming potential (GWP) and is expressed as
CO2-eq.”
-California Department of
General Services (DGS)
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Link to DGS Website: https://www.dgs.ca.gov/PD/Resources/Page-Content/Procurement-Division-Resources-List-Folder/Buy-Clean-California-Act

4. Materials Engineering and Testing Services
Caltrans Mission & Strategic
Plan
VISION
A brighter future for all through a world-class transportation
network
MISSION
Provide a safe and reliable transportation network that serves all
people and respects the environment
Goals
Safety First
Cultivate Excellence
Enhance and Connect the
Multimodal Transportation Network
Strengthen Stewardship
and Drive Efficiency
Lead Climate Action
Advance Equity and
Livability in All Communities
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5. Materials Engineering and Testing Services
Lead Climate Action
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Link to Caltrans’ Strategic Plan Document: https://dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-media/programs/risk-strategic-management/documents/sp-2020-16p-web-a11y.pdf

6. Materials Engineering and Testing Services
Sustainability Roadmap
• Commitment to reducing the
environmental impact of the goods
and services we purchase
• Requirement for environmentally
friendly treatments to the extent
feasible
• Collecting EPDs for concrete,
asphalt, and aggregate
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Link to Sustainability Roadmap Document:
https://green.ca.gov/Documents/CALTRANS/DOT-2022-2023-sustainability-road-map-
final-signed-01-19-23.pdf​

7. Materials Engineering and Testing Services
Materials Partnerships
• PMPC
• Industry
• Pavement Program
• Construction
• FHWA
• And more…
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8. Materials Engineering and Testing Services
Buy Clean California Act
(Public Contract Code § 3500 et seq.)
AB 262 (2017)
Amended by AB 137 (2021)
Structural
Steel
Carbon
Steel Rebar Flat Glass
Mineral
Wool Board
Insulation
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Lessons Learned
• Compliance
• Data Management
• Phased Approach
• Expiration of PCRs
• Roles and Responsibilities
1 metric ton of structural steel

9. Materials Engineering and Testing Services
Why is Caltrans Interested in
Collecting EPDs?
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• Lead Climate Action
• Data Collection and Partnership
• Reduce GHGs
• Policy and Legislation
People
Planet
Partnerships
Programs
and
Projects

10. Materials Engineering and Testing Services
Where do
EPDs fit in?
Product Stage
Construction
Stage
Use Stage End-of-Life Stage
Benefits &
Loads
A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 C1 C2 C3 C4 D
Raw
materials
supply
Transport
Manufacturing
Transport
Installation
Use
Stage
Maintenance
Repair
Replacement
Refurbishment
De-construction
Transport
Waste
Processing
Disposal
Reuse,
recovery,
recycling
potential
Supplier EPDs
for materials
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11. Materials Engineering and Testing Services
Sustainability Strategies
• Balanced Mix Design
• Recycled Materials
• Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement
• Recycled Asphalt Shingles
• Improving in-place recycling
strategies
• Innovative Materials
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12. Materials Engineering and Testing Services
Buy Clean Colorado (BCCO)
Act
• The Buy Clean Colorado
(BCCO) Act (C.R.S. 24-92-117)
• OSA shall establish a maximum
acceptable GWP for each
eligible materials
• Eligible Material Categories:
• Asphalt and Asphalt Mixtures
• Cement and Concrete Mixtures
• Glass
• Post-tension Steel
• Reinforcing Steel
• Structural Steel
• Wood Structural Elements
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13. Materials Engineering and Testing Services
How EPD's Will Help
• Material Innovation
• Quantify Recycling Benefits
• Regulatory Compliance
• Prepare for Legislation
• Transparency and Accountability
• Data-driven Decisions with
Reliable Data
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14. Materials Engineering and Testing Services
Shared Goals
• Alignment with NAPA Industry
Goals
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NAPA Industry Goals Caltrans Alignment
Goal 1: Achieve Net Zero Carbon
Emissions by 2050 (Scope 1 Emissions)
Goal: Lead Climate Action
• Mitigation — reduce GHG from
the transportation sector
• Leadership — Demonstrate
leadership in climate action.
• Partner and collaborate to lead
on climate action.
Goal 2: Partner with Customers to Reduce
Emissions (Downstream Scope 3 Emissions)
Goal 3: Develop a Net Zero Materials
Supply Chain (Upstream Scope 3 Emissions)
Goal 4: Transition to Electricity from
Renewable Energy Providers (Scope 2
Emissions)

15. Materials Engineering and Testing Services
FHWA Programs; Climate
Challenge
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The Program
• Addressing and mitigating the
environmental impact of highway
construction and infrastructure
Scope
• Provide Concrete and Asphalt
plants access to EPD Tool(s)
Caltrans Goal
• Incentivize the development of
EPDs in the Concrete and Asphalt
industry sector

16. Materials Engineering and Testing Services
FHWA Programs; EDC 7
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The Program
• Promoting innovation and
efficiency in the
transportation sector
Scope
• EPDs for Sustainable Project
Delivery
Caltrans Goal
• Incorporate Concrete &
Asphalt EPD requirements in
specifications by July 2025
(if not sooner)

17. Materials Engineering and Testing Services
Key Takeaways
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• Caltrans is committed to lead Climate Action
• Data-driven decisions
• Local information matters
• Lots of moving pieces requires collaboration
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18. Materials Engineering and Testing Services
Questions?
For more information:
Visit the Caltrans EPD
website:
Or
contact: EPD@dot.ca.gov
Questions?
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