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Construction
 The
construction industry uses more diesel engines than any other
sector. Of the 2 million diesel engines currently used in construction
equipment across the nation, 31 percent were manufactured before
the introduction of emissions regulations. These backhoes,
cranes, and bulldozers currently account for 32 percent of
all nitrogen oxide and 37 percent of fine particle emissions
from mobile sources, and their reputation for remaining in
service for decades creates a pollution problem for years to
come.
In the Northeast, public agencies and industry have partnered
on pioneering demonstrations of emission control technologies
and strategies for these workhorses of the economy. Among the
successes are:
- The 7 World Trade Center reconstruction in New
York City included the first retrofit
of a large tower crane and demonstrated the effectiveness
of combining after-treatment devices and ultra-low sulfur
diesel fuel in construction equipment
- The Central
Artery (Big Dig) construction in Boston was
the country’s first major construction retrofit project;
200 engines were retrofitted with oxidation catalysts or
PM filters, resulting in a reduction of
8 tons of PM and hydrocarbons annually
- Through the I-95
Q-Bridge reconstruction in Connecticut,
the state’s Department of Transportation has retrofitted
105 vehicles to date
The 7 World Trade Center project was a catalyst for the first
city law in the Northeast requiring the use of ultra-low sulfur
diesel fuel and retrofits on all city-owned or city-contracted
construction equipment. Several public agencies— Connecticut
Department of Transportation, Massachusetts Highway Department,
New York Transit Authority, and Massachusetts Bay Transportation
Authority—now require retrofits on construction projects.
The Collaborative is working to expand retrofit requirements
for construction contracts to other municipalities, counties,
government agencies, and major institutions. Partners are also
working with state and local agencies to lead by example by
retrofitting their construction vehicles and equipment and
participating in demonstrations of new technology.
Click here for a list of EPA and CARB Verified Off-Road Retrofit Technologies.
Federal Regulations
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.
State and Local Regulations
- New
York City’s Local Law 77,
signed into law December 22, 2003, requires "that any
diesel-powered nonroad vehicle, fifty horsepower and greater,
that is owned by, operated by or on behalf of, or leased
by a City agency be powered by ultra low sulfur diesel fuel
and utilize the best available technology for reducing the
emission of pollutants. Additionally, this legislation requires
that any solicitation for a public works contract and any
contract entered into as a result of such solicitation include
specifications that all contractors in the performance of
such contract use ultra low sulfur diesel fuel and the best
available technology for reducing the emission of pollutants
for diesel-powered nonroad vehicles."
State Contract Requirements
To encourage cleaner air around local construction sites,
many agencies, organizations, businesses and institutions have
initiated construction retrofit programs and are using contract
specifications to call for emission control technologies. For
specific language used by state agencies, see below:
Contract Language
NEDC Model Construction Contract Specifications
In recent years, municipalities, transportation agencies, and private institutions in the Northeast have adopted laws or contract language requiring emission reductions from equipment at construction sites. The technical standard and implementation framework of those requirements vary, and with even more public and private entities considering adopting such strategies, the NEDC Steering Committee decided to develop a model that incorporates the advances in technology and addresses related issues about idling and fuel would be valuable. Representatives from state air agencies, U.S. EPA, emission control manufacturers, environmental organizations, and the construction industry participated in developing NEDC's model contract specification. For questions about the document, contact Debbi Edelstein at dedelstein@nescaum.org or 617.259.2080.
Construction Air Quality Language
This web site resource is a compilation of language used in contracts, codes, laws, rules and other measures for addressing air quality issues, particularly diesel emissions, from construction equipment and other diesel sources. EPA provides this resource solely for informational purposes. The agency can not attest to the accuracy, effectiveness, legality or usefulness of the information provided, nor does the inclusion or reference of such language constitute an endorsement by EPA.
To visit site, click here.
Reports/Resources
Diesel Engine Retrofits in the Construction Industry: A How To Guide
In January 2008, the Massachusetts Department of Environmnental Protection issued a comprehensive "how to" guide for retrofiting diesel construction equipment with advanced pollution control technologies. The 56 page document includes the following: an overview of the health and air quality concerns associated with diesel pollution, the Massachusetts state agency construction retrofit requirements, available retrofit technologies, a retrofit "roadmap", and case studies of successful projects. To download the guidance document, click here
Low-Cost Ways to Cleaner Construction)
National Clean Diesel Campaign fact sheet on cost effective ways to reduce emissions from construction equipment for: Construction company owners; Equipment rental companies; and Equipment operators.
Emission Reduction Incentives for Off-Road Diesel Equipment Used in the Port and Construction Sectors (ICF/EPA 2005)
This report describes and assesses incentive programs to reduce emissions from off-road diesel engines used in the construction industry and port sector. The report focuses primarily on grant programs, tax incentives, modified contracting procedures, and non-monetary incentives implemented at the federal, state, regional, and local level.
To read the report, click here.
Evaluating the Occupational and Environmental Impact of Nonroad Diesel Equipment in the Northeast (NESCAUM 2004)
This evaluates the potential health risks from nonroad sources by monitoring selected hazardous air pollutant and particulate matter exposures in the cabin of operating nonroad diesel equipment and at the perimeter of the active work site.
To read report, click here.
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