Why It Matters

The American Cement Association is doubling down on legislative influence as
Congress actively considers bipartisan bills like the IMPACT Act promoting low-emissions cement and the Foreign Pollution Fee Act imposing tariffs on carbon-intensive imports. These measures could significantly reshape the industry’s competitive position and regulatory burden.

By upgrading its lobbying team now, the ACA is positioning itself to influence federal R&D funding, trade policy, and environmental compliance standards that will define cement manufacturing for the next decade.

By the Numbers

The American Cement Association has invested substantially in Washington advocacy over two decades, spending over $21.5 million on in-house lobbying and an additional $3.4 million on external firms. Bracewell LLP has been a consistent partner since 2010, accumulating over $1.03 million in fees.

The new 2025 registration assigns three lobbyists to the ACA account:

  • Anna Burhop Karakitsos — Former Professional Staff Member on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee with extensive experience on Clean Air regulations and climate policy
  • Scott H. Segal — Two-decade veteran with longstanding representations of major energy firms on environmental compliance issues
  • Kyle J. Spencer — Recent addition to the firm focused on electric utilities and energy regulation

The Agenda

The American Cement Association is lobbying on manufacturing and environmental issues, specifically focusing on bipartisan legislation promoting low-emissions cement and concrete, including the IMPACT Act and the Concrete and Asphalt Innovation Act. The ACA is also engaged on the Foreign Pollution Fee Act, which would impose tariffs on carbon-intensive cement imports. Additionally, the organization addresses environmental regulations including Clean Air Act compliance and coal ash recycling policies.

Broader Context

Congress is advancing bipartisan legislation to decarbonize the cement industry amid international trade pressures. The IMPACT Act has already passed the House, while the Concrete and Asphalt Innovation Act would establish federal research programs promoting low-emission cement deployment. The Foreign Pollution Fee Act proposes carbon tariffs responding to the European Union’s carbon border adjustment mechanism now in effect.

U.S. cement manufacturers face ongoing Clean Air Act compliance pressures and significant import competition, with imports accounting for roughly one-fifth of domestic consumption. Bipartisan member communications from Reps. Miller and Foushee, Sens. Coons and Tillis, and Rep. Guthrie show support for domestic cement competitiveness and innovation.

Competitive Landscape

The cement decarbonization space is attracting significant lobbying activity from multiple sectors. Low-carbon technology firms including Carbon Upcycling Technologies Inc., CarbonBuilt Inc., and Brimstone Energy Inc. are actively lobbying on appropriations, the 45Q carbon sequestration tax credit, and the IMPACT Act. Major cement producers like Holcim (US) Inc. are engaged in plant-specific Clean Air Act compliance lobbying, reflecting shared industry regulatory pressures.

The Bottom Line

The American Cement Association has expanded its lobbying capacity with three new lobbyists from Bracewell LLP as Congress weighs multiple policy approaches: innovation incentives through the IMPACT Act, border carbon fees, and greenhouse gas tax proposals. The ACA’s expanded team positions the industry to influence how these competing legislative priorities ultimately shape domestic cement manufacturing policy and competitiveness.