Minnesota EPD Grant Program
Download Producer Application EPDs for Contractors
HELPING ASPHALT PRODUCERS COMPLY WITH NEW MNDOT EPD REQUIREMENTS
As Minnesota advances toward more sustainable infrastructure, the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) Grant Program is helping asphalt producers across the state measure and disclose the environmental impact of their materials—empowering smarter, lower-carbon choices in public construction.
This effort is grounded in both state legislation and evolving MnDOT procurement standards, and is administered with technical support from the Minnesota Asphalt Pavement Association (MAPA).
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Minnesota EPD Grant Program provides financial and technical assistance to asphalt producers who create mix-specific, third-party verified EPDs using the National Asphalt Pavement Association’s (NAPA) Emerald Eco-Label software. The goal: ensure that all producers—especially small and mid-sized plants—have access to the tools and support they need to participate in Minnesota’s emerging low-carbon procurement market.
Through the grant, producers receive:
- Reimbursement for the cost of EPD software licenses
- Hands-on training and technical support
- Resources to streamline data collection and reporting
MAPA Grant EPD Training Webinar with ERG
EPDs are coming- are you ready?
Starting in 2028, MnDOT will require Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for asphalt mixes.
Passcode: 5Thxsi%H
LEGISLATIVE BACKGROUND
This program was created as part of the 2023 State of Minnesota Environmental Standards Procurement Task Force, formed under enabling legislation aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from construction materials. The Task Force was charged with recommending how the state can:
- Identify materials to include in Buy Clean policies (e.g., asphalt, concrete, steel)
- Establish standards based on greenhouse gas emissions data
- Incentivize lower-carbon products through grants and policy levers
- Develop a transparent, consistent database of EPDs
The EPD Grant Program directly supports those recommendations by lowering the barrier to entry for producers and ensuring Minnesota’s industry is ready to meet new standards.
See the enabling legislation and taskforce information here: https://mn.gov/admin/government/purchasing-contracting/buy-clean/
MNDOT REQUIREMENTS
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is actively developing requirements for EPDs in asphalt paving projects. While a full implementation timeline is still forthcoming, producers can expect the following:
- Pilot projects in 2025–2026 will request EPDs for hot-mix asphalt submissions.
- Future specification updates will require EPDs as part of standard bid submittals.
- In 2028 MnDOT will establish a threshold for EPD scores (maximum global warming potential) and include this measure in the procurement process per statute.
- MnDOT will follow national standards (such as PCRs and ISO 14025) to ensure EPD consistency and comparability.
Producers that begin developing EPDs now—especially with grant support—will be positioned ahead of schedule and prepared for future compliance.
IS YOUR COMPANY READY FOR EPDS?
MAPA is here to assure our members are ready for this important shift. Whether you're just getting started or already experimenting with EPDs, we can connect you with the right tools, training, and grant support.
👉 Learn how to apply for the grant
👉 Join a training session on NAPA’s Emerald Eco-Label
👉 Request on-call support for EPD development