GSA Invests US$1 Billion to Modernize US Land Ports of Entry

The US General Services Administration (GSA) plans to invest over US$1 billion in modernizing federal Land Ports of Entry (LPOE) nationwide. This initiative, part of US President Joe Biden’s Investing in America agenda, aims to upgrade infrastructure and promote domestic clean manufacturing and sustainable technologies. The funding will support 38 projects, promoting environmental border operations.

“By incorporating clean construction materials and clean energy technologies into these projects, we are not only supporting bringing these border stations into the 21st century — we are also supporting the clean energy industries that will lead our economy in the future,” says Robin Carnahan, Administrator, US GSA. 

The allocated funds include about US$850 million for low-embodied carbon materials and US$60 million for emerging sustainable technologies, facilitating 26 major LPOE modernization projects. Additionally, US$100 million will be invested in low-embodied carbon materials for 13 land port paving projects.

Andrew Mayock, US Federal Government’s Chief Sustainability Officer, highlights the broader impact of these investments, stating: “As part of our Buy Clean Initiative, the Biden-Harris Administration has begun procurement of over US$4 billion in American-made clean construction materials as it works to make Federal buildings more efficient, all-electric, and powered by 100% carbon-free electricity."

The selection of projects was based on factors such as facility age and the security needs of the US Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection. These investments are expected to generate about 11,500 good-paying jobs annually across the United States, providing a significant economic boost to local communities.

The sustainability outcomes of these projects include reducing operational emissions, as the projects will collectively reduce carbon emissions from facility operations by over 2 million mt of CO2, equivalent to taking about 500,000 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles off the road for one year. It also involves the transition to all-electric buildings, as 23 out of the 25 projects will operate without onsite fossil fuels, meeting the Federal Building Performance Standard for full electrification. Four LPOEs will achieve net-zero emissions by implementing efficiency measures such as solar arrays and ground source heat pumps. 

The allocated funds will support projects across several US states, ranging from Arizona to Washington and will include projects such as the Bridge of the Americas Land Port of Entry in El Paso, Texas, and the Raul Hector Castro Land Port of Entry in Douglas, Arizona.