Alexandria, VA – August 7, 2020 – The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association is pleased to be part of a broad coalition that includes members of the building and construction materials associations, civil engineers, codes and standards organizations, and insurance industries supporting the reintroduction of federal legislation aimed at securing a tax credit to foster the construction of resilient residential and commercial buildings.
The Disasters Savings and Resilient Construction Act of 2020, sponsored by Reps. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ), Tom Reed (R-NY), Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), would offer a tax credit of $3,000 and $25,000 per structure for residential and commercial construction, respectively, if the structure is built or rebuilt within a federally-declared disaster zone for up to two years following the date of the disaster. A structure is eligible when it meets a variety of resilient construction standards, including standards for high wind, wildfire and seismic events.
Disasters in the United States are increasing in number and severity each year. Once a disaster strikes, communities are faced with the task of rebuilding so Americans can get back to work. The economic and environmental impacts of rebuilding after each disaster are unsustainable. Resilient construction will help prevent future loss of life, ease economic suffering, reduce our carbon footprint and require less federal assistance during the next disaster. The National Institute of Building Science has found that for every $1 spent on stronger building codes as much as $11 are saved by avoiding future losses.
“When communities are built to resilient, robust standards, we help to ensure that the places where we live, learn, work, worship and play are safe and sustainable. We applaud Representatives Pascrell, Reed, DeFazio and Diaz-Balart for their leadership on this issue and are honored to be a part of a broad coalition supporting this legislation,” said NRMCA President Michael Philipps. “Building strong homes and businesses with resilient construction techniques saves lives and property, resists the impacts of natural disasters and climate change, and ultimately saves money for taxpayers. If we want resilient communities, we must incentivize building to higher standards. This bill will promote resilient construction for safer, stronger homes and businesses.”
Similar statements in the support of the bill included a lengthy list of associations and organizations besides NRMCA, including the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, American Society of Civil Engineers, BuildStrong Coalition, Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute, EPDM Roofing Association, Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, International Code Council, National Association of Home Builders, National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, North American Concrete Alliance, Portland Cement Association and the US Resiliency Council.
NRMCA, based in Alexandria, VA, represents the producers of ready mixed concrete and the companies that provide materials, equipment and support to the industry. It conducts education, training, promotion, research, engineering, safety, environmental, technological, lobbying and regulatory programs.
Contact: Andrew Tyrrell, 703-706-4856