Construction

Forum Leads

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Construction Forum Goal: The Construction Workgroup seeks to share information and develop innovative ways to reduce diesel particulate emission from existing construction equipment in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Strategies include equipment retrofits, clean fuel use, better operation and maintenance practices, and contractual incentives.

There are approximately 1.8 million pieces of construction equipment being used in the United States

A typical bulldozer engine emits as much particulate matter (PM) as over 500 cars

Almost 100 million people live in 225 counties that have violated air quality standards for PM 2.5

• Low Cost Ways to Cleaner Construction Brochure - U.S. EPA, February 2008 exit

• Diesel Engine Retrofits in the Construction Industry: A How To Guide - Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, January 2008 exit
  
  
• Cleaner Diesel: Low Cost Ways to Reduce Emissions from Construction Equipment - U.S. EPA, March 2007 exit
  
  
• Emissions Reduction Incentives for Off-Road Diesel Equipment used in the Port and Construction Sectors - U.S. EPA, May 2005 exit
  
  
• Results of Implementing Aggressive PM Reduction on Non-Road Construction Equipment at Two Lower Manhattan Project Sites - Metropolitan Transportation Authority Conference Paper

Contract specifications can be utilized to encourage the use of clean construction technology and cleaner operating practices. Examples are listed below.

• Northeast Diesel Collaborative Contract Specifications - April 2008 exit
  
  
• World Trade Center Redevelopment South Ferry Contract Language
  
  
• Special Air Quality Notice to Contractors exit
  
  
• Air Quality Noise Mitigation exit
  
  
• What Constitutes a Vehicle Retrofit Program - Greater Boston Breathes Better exit 
   
• Diesel Vehicle Emission Controls, Notice to Contractors - State of Connecticut exit
  
  
• Dust Control and Diesel Vehicle Emission Controls - State of Massachusetts exit

This page provides information on diesel emission reduction efforts incorporated in different construction projects.

• U.S. EPA's Clean Construction USA Case Studies Page exit
  

EPA's Nonroad Diesel Rule sets more stringent emissions standards for diesel construction vehicles and equipment beginning with those manufactured in 2008. The rules require clean diesel fuel with a sulfur content capped at 15 parts per million and the use of advanced emission control technology. New engines will be more than 90 percent cleaner than construction equipment in use today. However, these standards will affect only newly manufactured construction vehicles and equipment and will not reduce emissions from current vehicles and equipment.