Despite Low
Emissions, Construction Association Urges Companies
to Follow Simple Steps Being Used to Reduce CO2 Emissions
and Save Fuel
Arlington, VA -The construction industry accounts for
less than one percent of all U.S. green house gas emissions
according to a new analysis of federal environmental
data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The Associated General Contractors of America found
that all equipment used by the construction industry
contributed less than 0.95 percent of all U.S. manmade
greenhouse gas emissions in 2007.
The newly released data shows the relative efficiency
of a construction industry that currently accounts for
over five percent of the U.S. workforce and over 800,000
small businesses, the association noted.
"This data shows that we aren't just constructing
cleaner projects, we're building a cleaner construction
industry," said Stephen E. Sandherr, chief executive
officer of the Associated General Contractors of America.
"As good as our accomplishments are, we can do
even better."
Sandherr said contractors around the country are taking
steps to further reduce their emissions and urged other
companies to follow suit. Construction contractors are,
for example, turning equipment off instead of letting
it idle; maintaining their equipment; using equipment
that is properly sized for the specific job; using lower-emitting
fuels; and finding local sources for building materials
to cut shipping-related emissions.
In addition to curbing emissions, Sandherr noted that
the construction industry recycles more than any other
industry. For example, the industry recycles 97.5 percent
of structural steel, 65 percent of reinforcement steel
and 80 percent of asphalt. Together that amounts to
almost 180 million tons of material recycled and 75.7
million tons of CO2 emissions avoided each year, Sandherr
said.
The association also urged construction companies nationwide
to review a recent EPA report for additional suggestions
on ways to reduce emissions. The report, titled "Potential
for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Construction
Sector" can be found online at http://www.epa.gov/sectors/pdf/construction-sector-report.pdf.
Source: Construction News, April
22, 2009
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