The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) is asking Congress to include tire policy and related transportation sustainability initiatives as they negotiate the latest infrastructure package.
In a recent letter, the USTMA identified five policy proposals. They include:
- Investing in the research and integration of rubber-modified asphalt in new and existing infrastructure projects;
- Investing in research regarding the use of tire derived aggregate in storm water infiltration galleries;
- Incentivizing the growth of U.S. manufacturing of retreaded tires for commercial vehicles;
- Incentivizing the use of low rolling resistance tires, "which increase fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, for public and private use," and'
- Ensuring that 100% of tires in the federal fleet enter the scrap tire circularity market.
“Deeply invested in efforts to reduce environmental impacts throughout the entire life of their products, U.S. tire manufacturers employ hundreds of thousands of highly skilled American workers who strive to produce the highest-quality tires in terms of durability, efficiency and safety,” says Anne Forristall Luke, USTMA president and CEO.
“To ensure communities across the nation can thrive, we’ve identified several concrete actions Congress can take to support transportation innovations not only to improve performance and sustainability on our roads, but to ensure a comprehensive infrastructure plan.”