Construction Air Quality Language

Northeast Diesel Collaborative (NEDC)

Diesel Emission Controls in Construction Projects - Model Contract Specification

This contract specification provides a comprehensive model that is technically sound and grounded in field experience. It addresses the level of emission control, idling, exemptions, and compliance. NEDC encourages the use of this contract specification in public and private developments, especially building projects located in urban areas or in close proximity to especially sensitive receptors.

Connecticut Department of Transportation (CDOT)

I-95 New Haven Harbor Crossing (I-95 NHHC) Project

Connecticut DOT’s I-95 New Haven Harbor Crossing (I-95 NHHC) project is a 12-year bridge and highway upgrade that will reconstruct and widen Interstate 95 along the state’s coastline. CDOT’s focus is on reducing diesel chemical and particulate emissions. Under the Connecticut Clean Air Initiative (CCAI), all contractors and subcontractors are required to adhere to idling specifications and to reduce hazardous diesel emissions using control devices, such as alternate fuels, diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs), diesel particulate filters (DPFs), and truck staging zones.

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Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)

Dan Ryan Expressway

Dan Ryan Expressway is a four-year road reconstruction project south of Chicago. The project addresses reduction of carbon monoxide (CO), hydro-carbons (HC), nitrogen oxides (NO_x), and particulate matter (PM) through idle-reduction practices, EPA verified emission control devices, ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel, dust control measures, air quality monitoring, and 24-hour response to concerns.

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Illinois O'Hare Modernization Program

O'Hare Modernization Program

The Chicago O’Hare Modernization Program (OMP) developed design and construction standards for construction equipment and vehicles that reduce air emissions through cleaner fuels, diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs) and diesel particulate filters (DPFs), ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel (ULSD), idling restrictions, and cleaner vehicle options.

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Maryland State Highway Administration

Inter-county Connector Project (ICC)

The Inter-county Connector (ICC) will link I-270 in Montgomery County with US1 in Prince George’s County. The project will be completed via a total of five contracts, each taking into consideration numerous environmental concerns including heavy-duty emission reductions, use of low sulfur diesel fuel, environmental mitigation, and environmental stewardship.

Conformity Guidelines for PM2.5 levels (PDF) (15 pp, 342K, April 2007)

More information can be found at:
Maryland Intercounty Connector
ICC Environmental Program Description

Massachusetts Dana Farber Cancer Institute

Dana Farber Cancer Institute - Walsh Brothers

Emission control devices are required for all diesel-powered non-road construction equipment used on the project for more than 30 days. Contractors shall use methods to control nuisance odors associated with diesel emissions from construction equipment, implement dust control measures, and comply with idling reduction requirements.

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Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)

MBTA - All Bid Contracts

All bids to MBTA must include a signed Certificate of Construction Equipment Standard Compliance indicating that all diesel construction equipment used in the contract has emission control devices, such as diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs) or diesel particulate filters (DPFs).

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Massachusetts Department
of Environment Protection (MDEP)

MDEP - All Bid Contracts

To reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter (PM), MDEP requires contractors to retrofit equipment with EPA and/or California Air Resources Board (CARB) verified technologies. Idle reduction and dust and odor control are also addressed.

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Massachusetts Highway Department - (MHD)

Central Artery Project (Big Dig)

This project reconstructs the central artery and extension of the Massachusetts Turnpike and is expected to be completed in the spring of 2007. All pieces of construction equipment must have a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) and cannot idle in excess of five minutes.

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Michigan - University of Michigan Hospitals

University of Michigan Hospitals
CS Mott Children's and Women's Hospital

Exhaust scrubbers and biodiesel are required for all mobile equipment. The general contractor inspects all equipment to ensure it meets the requirements prior to use on the site and issues a use sticker for each piece of equipment.

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Minnesota - Hennepin County Environmental Services

Hennepin County and Clean Air Minnesota Air Quality Statement

Hennepin County, MN, in partnership with Clean Air Minnesota, participates in a vehicle emission control program that involves voluntary use of retrofit devices on its vehicles. The county is responsible for the capital and maintenance costs including purchase, installation, maintenance, and repair and may remove them or keep them installed on the construction equipment. Contractor costs remain incidental. For more information about Minnesota Environmental Initiative: Clean Air Minnesota

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New York - Destiny USA Syracuse

Destiny USA Project

Destiny USA is currently constructing a several million square foot destination located in Syracuse, NY at the crossroads of I-81 and the New York State Thruway (I-90). Destiny USA will operate entirely without the use of fossil fuels and utilize the best environmental technologies.

The U.S. Department of Treasury, in consultation with the Environmental Protection Agency designated the Destiny USA project a Federal Brownfield Demonstration Program for Qualified Green Building and Sustainable Design project.

To fulfill the requirements of this designation, Destiny USA will offer large-scale demonstrations of significant energy efficiencies, renewable energy technologies, and sustainable building. To meet this criterion, the contractors must use B100 in their construction equipment, adhere to Destiny’s idle-reduction policy, help execute the project’s LEED goals, and participate in technology and renewable energy demonstrations.

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New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (NY MTA)

NY MTA Emission Control Specification

New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority's emissions control specification includes provisions for on-road and nonroad vehicles. Stipulations include fuel and retrofit technology provisions, truck staging zones, idling restrictions and location considerations for diesel engines.

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New York - Rockland County

Rockland County Idling Law and Sanitary Code

Rockland County, NY, drafted a local law that limits idling to three minutes. The legislature approved the law in April 2007 and the draft law is now awaiting signature by the Secretary of State for it to become law. It will reinforce and supplement the existing limits and enforcement guidelines set forth in the county's sanitary code.

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New York - Westchester County

Westchester County Initiatives

In 1995, the Department of Environmental Facilities (DEF) of Westchester County, NY enacted an environmental policy to prevent pollution and exceed legal regulatory requirements where practical. The county's Department of Public Works' bid solicitation requires contractors to use ultra-low diesel fuel and vehicles that are retrofitted with diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs) or crankcase vent filters (CVFs), or have engines certified to the 2007 US EPA standard for particulate matter (PM).

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Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT)

Oregon Transportation Investment Act (OTIA) III State Bridge Delivery Program

ODOT’s OTIA III State Bridge Delivery Program is a 10-year, $1.3 billion initiative to repair and replace hundreds of bridges in Oregon's state highway system. Bridge Program contractors implement goal-oriented Environmental Performance Standards (EPS) that provide flexibility and context-sensitive environmental protections. Air quality performance standards aim to reduce construction-related diesel emissions through use of clean burning fuels, best available pollution controls, and limitations on engine idling times.

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More information can be found at:
OTIA III Environmental Performance Standards (PDF) (51 pp, 270K)
OTIA III Bridge Delivery Program Materials and Contamination Performance Standards Manual (PDF) (57 pp, 170K)
Oregon Bridge Delivery Partners Web site

Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)

TxDOT Roadway and Maintenance Projects

Provides incentive funding for the use of cleaner engines and fuels on all TxDOT roadway and maintenance projects in areas with air quality issues.

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Texas - Port of Houston Authority (POHA)

Port of Houston Authority Bayport Container and Cruise Terminal

The contract language was developed and has been successfully implemented at the Port of Houston’s Bayport Container and Cruise Terminal -- a new terminal under construction since January 2007. The Port committed to general conformity (GC) standards (25 tons NO_x/year) without being required to do so.

As a result, the terminal is being built under general conformity standards. This commitment forced contractors to be innovative in reducing equipment emissions. Clean contractors were not necessarily the least expensive contractors.

It's been estimated the Port paid in excess of $8 million dollars for clean contractor measures.

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