WASHINGTON, D.C. — Concrete is the most common man-made material on earth—used in sidewalks, buildings, bridges and more. It’s also one of the most energy-intensive; the production of concrete, cement and asphalt is responsible for 8% of human-created carbon dioxide emissions worldwide.

Rep. Max Miller, R-Ohio, is offering a solution: low-emission cement and concrete.

“This legislation is going to help boost American industrial innovation and production capacity of materials like cement, concrete, asphalt, and literally the building blocks of our society,” Miller said during a press call this week.

The Impact 2.0 Act would promote research and production of low-emission cement and concrete.

Miller’s office wrote in a statement:

“The goals of IMPACT 2.0 are to strengthen Ohio’s concrete, cement, and asphalt production, lessen our dependence on imports, and create well-paying jobs for northeast Ohioans. IMPACT 2.0 will enable industry to invest in cutting-edge technologies that will enhance the competitiveness of American manufacturing.”

The bipartisan bill is complicated, though, by partisan views on climate change.

Co-sponsor Rep. Valerie Fouchee, D-N.C., has said climate change is an imminent threat to the planet.

“The climate crisis is one of the most pressing issues of our lifetime, and it is critical to take significant strides to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions within the manufacturing sector,” Fouchee said at a March 20 hearing promoting the bill.

Just 12% of Republicans think addressing climate change should be a top priority for Congress, according to a Pew Research poll.

The latest GOP platform, released in July, makes no mention of climate change, greenhouse gases or the environment.

Though Miller, a Republican, has acknowledged climate change is real, he also framed the legislation as a win for the Ohio cement and concrete construction materials industry, which he said employs 18,000 people.

“We all want to see cement, concrete and asphalt production continue to rise and help grow our country. That is critical to our economic well-being, and we all want to see this growth go hand in hand with clean environmental stewardship, leaving our air and water just as pristine for the next generation,” Miller said at the March 20 hearing.

The bill passed out of committee in May and is awaiting a vote on the House floor. Miller said its best chance of passing would be to get tacked onto a larger piece of legislation, like an appropriations bill.