“We believe the trend will continue to

move toward public entities requiring

clean equipment on their projects.And

we’d like to think we are positioning

our company to be on the cutting edge

of that process.”

Leonard Cherry, President/Owner 

Cherry Company, Texas

Clean Construction USA

The Green

Building Sector

is Growing

Rapidly.

GrowWith It.

National Clean Diesel Campaign

www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/construction

Recycled/Recyclable — Printed with vegetable oil based inks on 100% postconsumer, process chlorine free recycled paper.

August 2010

EPA-420-F-10-018

About the National Clean Diesel Campaign (NCDC)

EPA established NCDC to promote strategies that reduce harmful emissions from 

America’s diesel engines. Through regulatory and innovative approaches, NCDC 

addresses new diesel engines as well as the millions already in use.

For More Information

To learn more about Clean Construction USA, visit: 

www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/construction.

Are you prepared?

While newer equipment conforms to EPA’s latest 

emission standards, older diesel equipment might 

not. Construction-related diesel engines can last 

25 to 30 years. Therefore, it can be many years 

before older equipment is replaced with newer, 

cleaner equipment. Clean Construction USA offers 

many resources to help green your diesel equipment so you can compete for new green building 

business.
“Replacing old diesel engines with new

ones means reduced CO2, NOx, and PM

emissions, which saves fuel, the environment, and jobs.”

John Brazel, Program Manager 

Associated General Contractors of Kentucky

Stay Competitive by Greening Your 

Diesel Equipment and Fleet

The demand for green buildings and renovations is 

at an all-time high. Communities, developers, and 

consumers are not only demanding cleaner and 

higher performance buildings, but they are also 

seeking cleaner and greener construction partners. 

Clean Construction USA is an innovative program 

that promotes reducing diesel emissions from construction equipment and vehicles.

Through NCDC, EPA provides grants and innovative 

financing mechanisms to assist eligible partners in 

building diesel emission reduction programs. The 

Diesel Emissions Reduction provisions in the Energy 

Policy Act of 2005 are a significant funding source to 

bring verified and emerging, cost-effective technologies to communities nationwide.

Become a Leader

Clean Construction USA offers free tools, resources, 

and funding to owners and operators of diesel 

equipment and fleet engines to reduce diesel 

emissions. The program also offers strategies that 

not only reduce emissions and cut costs but also 

produce a safer and cleaner work site. These strategies include:

■ Replacing outdated engine components.

■ Installing certified and verified emission 

reduction technologies.

■ Regularly maintaining all engines.

■ Replacing older engines with newer equipment.

■ Using higher quality cleaner fuel.

■ Reducing engine idle times.

Installing retrofit devices on construction equipment is a cost-effective way to reduce emissions. For 

example, an Upgrade Kit installed on tractors and 

loaders can reduce nitrogen oxides (NOX) emissions—a contributor to smog—at a cost of $2,600 to 

$4,900 per ton.

By participating in Clean Construction USA, companies improve their competitive edge as more jobs 

demand increased environmental responsibility on 

the work site, especially in the fast-growing green 

building sector.

The Clean Construction USA website contains 

information on these strategies and more, including 

case studies on how others have cleaned up their 

diesel construction equipment and fleets.

“In the construction business, green has

become a priority. Our biodiesel strategy

has helped position our company at

the top.”

Tom Ambrey, CEO 

RAFN Construction, Washington State

“In my former position as senior

project coordinator for NewYork

City’s Metropolitan Transit Authority,

and now at Columbia University, I

have retrofitted hundreds of pieces of

construction equipment with clean

diesel technologies in metro NewYork.

These upgrades have significantly

reduced harmful diesel emissions

with no adverse impact on equipment

operation, while greatly benefiting

both equipment operators and the

local community. Equipment dealers

are now offering diesel retrofit devices

as an integral part of their business,

making access to retrofit equipment

and installation even easier.”

Ramesh Raman, Executive Director 

Construction Field Compliance 

Columbia University, New York 

About Clean Construction USA 

Clean Construction USA is a public–private 

initiative that provides owners and operators of 

diesel equipment in the construction industry 

with access to the resources they need to operate more sustainably and competitively. With 

construction equipment generating more than 

one-fifth of the NOX and nearly 40 percent of the 

particulate matter (PM) contributing to decreased 

lung function, respiratory ailments, and premature 

death, clean diesel technology engines will deliver 

significant health and air quality benefits at the 

work site and beyond.

www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/construction www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/construction www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/construction