; or (B) deny the application. (4) Approval Low-emissions cement, concrete, asphalt binder, or asphalt mixtures approved under paragraph (3)(A) may be used in any highway project of the State. (5) Written reasons for denial If the Administrator denies an application under paragraph (3)(B), the Administrator shall provide the State a written explanation for the denial. 6. Advance purchase commitment authority (a) Purpose The purposes of this section are— (1) to authorize the Secretary to directly purchase or contractually guarantee the direct purchase of conforming low-emissions cement, concrete, asphalt binder, or asphalt mixtures; and (2) to encourage continuous innovation and long-term emissions reductions in the production of concrete, cement, asphalt binder, and asphalt mixtures. (b) Definitions In this section: (1) Advance purchase commitment The term advance purchase commitment means a binding commitment from the Department of Transportation to purchase, 3 or more years in the future, from a private entity, a specified minimum quantity of conforming low-emissions cement, concrete, asphalt binder, or asphalt mixtures at a specified minimum price with the objective of establishing market demand for the conforming low-emissions cement, concrete, asphalt binder, or asphalt mixtures. (2) Conforming low-emissions cement, concrete, asphalt binder, or asphalt mixture The term conforming low-emissions cement, concrete, asphalt binder, or asphalt mixture means a low-emissions cement, concrete, asphalt binder, or asphalt mixture that— (A) meets or exceeds the threshold established by the Secretary of Energy under section 458(i)(2) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 that is in effect on the date on which the applicable advance purchase commitment is awarded under the program