Why It Matters
Titan America faces a critical moment as Congress pushes cement decarbonization funding while the Trump administration cancels billions in clean energy grants. The IMPACT Act and Concrete and Asphalt Innovation Act have bipartisan support, but Trump has already terminated $1.3 billion in cement-related grants to competitors.
Titan’s lobbying strategy targets Department of Energy contracts and FY 2026 appropriations funding. The company’s choice of Holland & Knight—particularly lobbyist Molly Ryan Ross, a former Senate Appropriations Committee staffer—signals a bet that congressional relationships can overcome administration hostility.
By the Numbers
Titan America has spent $1.39 million on federal lobbying since 2009 across 80 disclosures. The company previously used Vectre Corp. for 62 disclosures and maintained in-house lobbying from 2011-2014.
The new fourth quarter engagement with Holland & Knight for $60,000 represents a strategic shift toward appropriations expertise. The three-person team includes Ross (former Collins staffer with Appropriations experience), Taite McDonald (DOE Loan Program specialist), and Elizabeth Noll (Energy and Water Appropriations advocate).
The Agenda
Titan America is lobbying on Department of Energy contracting and the FY 2026 Energy and Water Appropriations bill. While no specific legislation is disclosed, the strategy aligns with three pending bills supporting low-emissions cement: the Concrete and Asphalt Innovation Act, IMPACT Act, and IMPACT Act 2.0.
Historically, Titan has lobbied on climate legislation, EPA regulations, DOE grants, and carbon taxation issues.
Broader Context
Congress maintains bipartisan support for cement decarbonization despite administration opposition. Cement production accounts for 8 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. The House passed the IMPACT Act 350-73, while Senate co-sponsors Chris Coons (D-DE) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) advance similar legislation.
However, the Trump administration canceled $3.7 billion in funding for 24 energy projects in May 2025, including nearly $1.3 billion for cement initiatives. Major casualties included Sublime Systems’ $87 million grant and National Cement’s $500 million award. A federal judge recently ruled some cancellations unlawful, creating legal uncertainty.
Between The Lines
The House passed a $57.3 billion FY 2026 Energy and Water Appropriations bill framed around energy independence, while three bipartisan bills advance low-carbon cement innovation. The volatile political environment—with terminated DOE grants worth billions and ongoing legal challenges—explains why Titan America and competitors are intensifying lobbying efforts to secure federal opportunities.
Competitive Landscape
Competitors are spending heavily: Holcim (US) Inc. spent $360,000 on in-house lobbying in the fourth quarter 2024 on similar issues. Heidelberg Materials also lobbies on DOE grants for decarbonization.
Technology companies are entering the space, with CarbonBuilt Inc. and Carbon Upcycling Technologies lobbying on low-carbon policies and appropriations bills.
Recent DOE grant cancellations—including National Cement’s $500 million project and Sublime Systems’ $87 million plant—demonstrate political risks in securing federal funding.
The Bottom Line
Titan America is betting Congress can fund cement decarbonization despite Trump administration skepticism. The company’s $60,000 Holland & Knight engagement targets DOE contracts and FY 2026 appropriations amid a volatile landscape where Congress advances bipartisan legislation while Trump cancels billions in grants.
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