Federal stormwater amendment gains USTMA support

WASHINGTON—U.S. tire makers are coming out in support of a proposal aimed at improving stormwater control through a new federal transportation bill.

The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association, a trade group representing 13 firms that produce tires domestically, is backing an amendment to the proposed Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation (INVEST) in America Act of 2021.

INVEST, also known as House Resolution 3684, has more than 200 proposed amendments, including one that would create five centers of excellence research facilities for stormwater control infrastructure technology.

USTMA sees infrastructure work, including stormwater control, as a potentially large market for recycled rubber made from used tires.

"Centers of excellence not only allow us to increase our capacity to conduct quality research regarding innovative technologies like tire derived aggregate, but they also act as a hub of information for states that want to integrate this material in their own infrastructure projects," USTMA CEO Anne Forristall Luke said in a statement. "The Moore amendment is essential to ensuring we are utilizing the best available technology in stormwater control systems across our country."

USTMA is showing support for the amendment through a letter sent to the House Committee on Rules. The stormwater center amendment was offered by U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis.) to the house resolution now being considered.

Aggregate made from tires and used in place of gravel in stormwater projects provides enhanced filtration capacity to remove items such as microplastics and heavy metals before runoff enters groundwater, USTMA said in the letter.

Rubber aggregate also potentially provides more void space to capture additional water volume in stormwater infiltration galleries. This added space means projects could be constructed in areas with space limitations, the trade group said.

USTMA further cited transportation cost savings with tire-derived aggregate compared with traditional mined materials.