The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) has released the findings of a joint study with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) focused on low-cost ways to reduce air emissions from nonroad construction equipment.

The report examines a variety of equipment operation and maintenance measures, fuel strategies and technologies that companies can employ.
"AGC recognizes that major engine overhauls and repowers are extremely expensive, and some companies are better positioned than others to make such an investment," said AGC CEO Stephen E. Sandherr. "This report offers all contractors, and particularly the small businesses that dominate the industry, bottom-line information on affordable ways to bring about positive environmental results."
AGC collaborated with the EPA to document the costs and benefits of the strategies and discuss practical implementation issues. The findings suggest that operating practices such as reduced idling, improved preventive maintenance and operator training will produce both business and environmental benefits.
Reducing emissions from the existing "legacy" diesel fleet is an important component of EPA's Clean Diesel Campaign. EPA presently does not mandate retrofits, but instead encourages contractors to voluntarily clean up their equipment.
AGC has worked side-by-side with EPA in advancing clean diesel initiatives that improve air quality and protect the business interests of construction contractors. AGC's efforts include identifying incentives for retrofitting in-use equipment, informing fleet owners of grant opportunities, securing federal funding, and crafting and promoting a federal tax incentive.
AGC hopes states will use the findings in this report to develop workable clean air plans that balance industry economic interests with environmental goals. The full report - titled "Cleaner Diesels: Low Cost Ways to Reduce Emissions from Construction Equipment" - is available on AGC's environmental web page under "Hot Topics" at www. agc.org/hottopics .